Fugitive Businessman Mehul Choksi Residing in Belgium Amid Extradition Efforts
Mehul Choksi is reported to be living in Antwerp, Belgium, with his wife after obtaining residency through allegedly fabricated documents. Indian authorities seek his extradition for a ₹13,500 crore bank fraud case. Choksi’s relocation raises questions about his legal standing, as he reportedly plans to move to Switzerland for medical treatment.
Fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi is reportedly residing in Antwerp, Belgium, along with his wife, Preeti Choksi, after acquiring a residency card. The Indian authorities have formally requested the Belgian government to commence extradition proceedings against him, as stated by the Caribbean-focused media outlet, Associated Times. However, there has been no immediate response or confirmation from Indian authorities regarding this matter.
Choksi is facing charges in connection with a substantial ₹13,500 crore bank loan fraud and was initially thought to have been living in Antigua and Barbuda before his relocation to Belgium. His wife, Preeti Choksi, holds Belgian citizenship. It has been alleged that Choksi provided misleading and fabricated documentation to secure his residency in Belgium, intending to avoid extradition to India.
Reports indicate that Choksi submitted false declarations and forged documents while applying for residency, misrepresenting his nationality and failing to reveal his Indian and Antiguan citizenship. Sources suggest that he is considering relocating to Switzerland for treatment at a prestigious cancer hospital. Choksi and his nephew, Nirav Modi, are implicated in the fraudulent siphoning of ₹13,500 crore from the Punjab National Bank (PNB) through deceptive letters of undertaking. Presently, Nirav Modi is in a London prison, contesting his extradition to India after several denials of bail by the courts.
In May 2021, Choksi disappeared from Antigua but was later located and returned to the island nation, further complicating his legal and personal circumstances.
In conclusion, Mehul Choksi’s current residency in Belgium raises significant legal concerns as he faces extradition requests from India related to a major financial fraud case. His alleged use of false documentation to obtain residency, combined with his prior actions in Antigua, highlights the complexities surrounding his situation and ongoing legal battles, particularly alongside his associate Nirav Modi.
Original Source: indianexpress.com
