Mehul Choksi (Photo by Gemma Handy)
Antiguan and Barbudan citizen Mehul Choksi’s latest bid for leniency has failed. The 66-year-old diamond merchant, once at the helm of the glittering Gitanjali empire, asked to be placed under house arrest in Belgium, complete with electronic monitoring.
Choksi left Antigua and Barbuda over a year ago to seek medical attention in Belgium, although the Indian government was chasing him down to answer charges in a major PNB case. He was arrested there.
The appeal court dismissed the request a few days ago, leaving him to face an extradition battle that could decide whether he ever returns to India.
That hearing is scheduled for mid-September, and Indian investigators are preparing heavily. A CBI team has already landed in Brussels, handing Belgian prosecutors boxes of evidence and pledging full cooperation. The agency is also weighing the support of a European law firm to bolster the case.
Choksi’s troubles stem from one of India’s largest banking scandals the Punjab National Bank fraud. Alongside his nephew, Nirav Modi, he is accused of siphoning billions through fraudulent Letters of Undertaking at PNB’s Mumbai branch. Modi has been jailed in London since 2019, still fighting his own extradition.
Indian authorities have stacked the legal deck, citing corruption laws, criminal conspiracy, and even international treaties such as the UN conventions against corruption and organised crime. Belgian law recognises these offences too, which may work against Choksi.
For now, the fugitive jeweller remains behind bars, his plea for the comfort of home denied, as the countdown begins to a courtroom showdown in Brussels.
He received Antiguan and Barbudan citizenship by investment.
Money and power make cases drag forever. Ordinary people would’ve been locked up ages ago.It’s about time this man faces the music. In this case Justice delayed is not justice denied.
For years, Choksi has managed to delay justice. Many see his appeals and medical claims as tactics to avoid facing the charges in India.
Critics argue that Belgium should move swiftly. Long legal battles only create loopholes for wealthy fugitives to exploit
From Antigua’s perspective, he is still a citizen, and the government has an obligation to safeguard his rights, regardless of international pressure
Another ting i wanna add is a point we all missed. some people in Antigua and Barbuda feel that his acquisition of citizenship through the CIP program highlighted weaknesses in vetting and left the country exposed to reputational risk. And that is why our passports under such magnifiying glass from the other countrys. People like choksi cause dis
Choksi is 66 years old and has serious health problems. There are genuine humanitarian concerns about subjecting him to harsh detention condition
Choksi is 66 years old and has serious health problems. There are genuine humanitarian concerns about subjecting him to harsh detention condition
Choksi AGAIN!!!! I dont even know what to say. Just go back India and done with that
The scale of the PNB fraud is staggering, and victims deserve accountability. Every failed bid by Choksi to stall the process brings him one step closer to answering in court
The owner of this website is either obbsessed with Choksi or my mother is a man
He has maintained his innocence from the start. Until proven guilty, he has the same right to due process as any other citizen
Let him go and prove his innocence. He is hiding because he know he is guilty
Choksi’s legal team argues that extradition to India could expose him to unfair treatment or even political targeting, which raises valid questions under international law
Choksi’s legal team argues that extradition to India could expose him to unfair treatment or even political targeting, which raises valid questions under international law