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Mehul Choksi (Photo by Gemma Handy)
In a significant development in the ongoing $2 billion Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case, Belgian police have apprehended diamond merchant Mehul Choksi, who is one of the prime accused.
The Economic Times reported that the arrest took place on Saturday following a request from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) of India.
Choksi, who holds citizenship in Antigua and Barbuda, was located in Belgium after being spotted by authorities.
The CBI had previously sought his immediate detention, prompting Indian investigating agencies to send a formal communique to Belgian authorities. This follows an earlier report by the Economic Times on September 21 of last year regarding Choksi’s presence in Belgium.
Choksi remains in custody as Belgian authorities have sought a formal extradition request from India. The arrest is based on two outstanding warrants issued against him by a Mumbai court, one dated May 23, 2018, and the other June 15, 2021.
Reports indicate that Choksi traveled to Belgium for medical treatment, as he is reportedly suffering from cancer, heart diseases, and other serious health conditions.
The case against him continues to unfold, with both legal and international ramifications as authorities work to bring him back to face charges in India.
They gave this man citizenship and he turned us into a headline worldwide. Let’s hope India follows through and takes him back for good. We don’t need this baggage.
Well that one of the pitfalls of the CIP Program. Because of our need for investments, the dollar signs always outweigh logic and reason.
Every country he lands in, he suddenly has ‘medical issues.’ Convenient. Let’s not let that derail justice.
Choksi boy, you should have left the diamonds alone. It’s just like the saga with the Alfa Nargo.. it’s not over until it’s over
So Choksi really went from luxury yachts to European jail cells. Karma has a passport too apparently. This is why you should be greedy. wait, PM Browne and the 10 Mil from Alfa Nero next……
Lol you said it but I believe Browne going to find some sort of loophole and walk Scott free. Remember these men are connected eh. Handshakes!
Antigua and Barbuda authorities should have done the same like Belgium authorities. I hope ANU government doesn’t interfere claiming him to be citizens to protect him from being extradite to India.
Another negative light on our CIP program. May this goi away as quickly as it came to light
Let’s see how this ends.