Mehul Choksi (Photo by Gemma Handy)
Mehul Choksi has contested the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) effort to label him a fugitive economic offender.
Choksi’s lawyer, Vijay Aggarwal, argued in a Special Court in Mumbai that Choksi is already in “constructive custody” of Indian authorities, having been arrested in Belgium on a non-bailable warrant issued by an Indian court.
Aggarwal emphasized that to be classified as a fugitive under the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, a person must either have left India to evade prosecution or have refused to return.
He asserted that neither applies to Choksi, who traveled to New York in 2018 for medical treatment with a police clearance from Mumbai, at a time when no charges were pending against him.
Choksi’s arrest in Belgium followed a formal extradition request from India. His lawyer pointed out that a court order in Dominica had prohibited him from leaving Antigua due to an alleged abduction attempt in 2021.
Aggarwal stated that Choksi is effectively under Indian jurisdiction, given his current detention in Belgium in connection with Indian charges.
In parallel, Choksi has initiated a civil case in the UK against the Indian government, claiming he was abducted in a convoluted scheme. He alleges involvement from Indian intelligence agencies in his alleged kidnapping.
Meanwhile, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has initiated recovery actions against Choksi for unpaid dues related to insider trading, freezing his accounts.
Choksi’s legal battles continue, with his next court hearing in Belgium yet to be scheduled
Wrong and strong. Even when you stole people money and fled the country on your CIP passport you still dont want to be called a fugitive? Give the people back their money instead of wasting the last dime you have on lawyers who know you are losing the case anyway. Rich people are so penny wise and reality foolish
Choksi pass the diamonds…you have all hidden around the place. Passsssittt
So now he’s suddenly under ‘constructive custody’? This man has been dodging justice for years. Enough with the legal gymnastics—bring him back to face the music.
From New York to Antigua to Belgium, Choksi’s passport is getting more action than the case itself.
This case should force a hard look at how CIP passports are issued and revoked. If someone accused of massive fraud can move around so freely, the system has cracks wider than expected.
Lord have mercy. Why doesn’t this man just keep a low profile. Smh