Fugitive diamond dealer Mehul Choksi, a key suspect in the Rs 14,000 crore Punjab National Bank fraud, was arrested by Belgian authorities on Saturday following India’s extradition request. His arrest is linked to two non-bailable warrants issued by a Mumbai court in 2018 and 2021.
Choksi is preparing for a legal fight, with his defense team aiming to secure bail and challenge the extradition, citing health concerns as a valid reason against his return to India. The 65-year-old is wanted by the CBI and ED for allegedly defrauding PNB alongside his nephew, Nirav Modi.
Whistle-blower Hariprasad SV, who revealed the PNB scam, expressed satisfaction with Choksi’s arrest, stating, “This is fantastic news. We are very pleased for all those who were deceived by Mehul Choksi in India. It’s astonishing that he was caught in Belgium. It’s crucial that we not only bring him back to India but also recover the money he stole, which is what India truly needs.”
(Newsroom staff only edited this story for style from a syndicated feed)
