Mehul Choksi Resides in Belgium Amid Extradition Requests by India

Mehul Choksi, a fugitive businessman, is reportedly living in Antwerp, Belgium after obtaining a residency card. India has requested his extradition due to his involvement in a ₹13,500 crore bank fraud case related to Punjab National Bank. Allegations of using false documents for residency persist, and his nephew Nirav Modi is also involved in similar legal troubles.

Fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi is reportedly residing in Antwerp, Belgium with his wife, Preeti Choksi, after obtaining a residency card. Indian officials have requested the extradition of Choksi from Belgian authorities, although this has not been officially confirmed. Choksi, known as the owner of the Gitanjali Group, is wanted in India for his alleged involvement in a bank fraud case involving ₹13,500 crore.

Choksi, along with his nephew Nirav Modi, faces accusations related to the Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam, where they allegedly defrauded the bank of over ₹14,000 crore. In 2018, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) charged them, leading to Choksi fleeing India in January 2018.

Prior to his stay in Belgium, Choksi was believed to be in Antigua and Barbuda. His wife, Preeti, a Belgian citizen, is reportedly with him in Antwerp. Accusations have arisen suggesting that Choksi secured his residency in Belgium using misleading documentation and forged documents, misrepresenting details about his citizenship.

Sources indicate his residency card application included false declarations, as he did not disclose his Indian and Antiguan citizenship. The report mentions that Choksi seeks medical treatment at a recognized cancer hospital. Meanwhile, his nephew Nirav Modi is currently imprisoned in London, contesting extradition to India.

Choksi’s earlier disappearance from Antigua in May 2021 led to widespread speculation, although he was later located and returned.

This case highlights ongoing international efforts to extradite fugitives implicated in significant financial crimes. Choksi’s fraudulent activities have notable implications for international banking and legal systems due to their cross-border nature.

In summary, Mehul Choksi is currently residing in Antwerp, Belgium while facing extradition requests from India due to significant fraud allegations. His acquisition of residency through purported misrepresentation raises concerns regarding international legal processes. Ongoing investigations into both Choksi and his nephew Nirav Modi highlight the complexities of financial fraud in a global context.

Original Source: www.livemint.com