The Capture of a Fugitive

Fugitive diamond merchant Mehul Choksi, wanted in connection with the staggering Rs 14,000 crore PNB scam, was finally arrested in Belgium on Saturday. This marks the culmination of years of evasion since his flight from India in 2018.

Where Was He Found? Choksi, 65, was reportedly detained from a hospital in Belgium, where he had been residing since last year under the guise of medical treatment. His arrest followed intensified efforts by Indian probe agencies, including the ED and CBI, especially after the Interpol Red Notice against him was lifted.

Legal Battles Ahead

His lawyer, Vijay Agarwal, confirmed the arrest, stating that Choksi is currently in prison with plans to appeal against extradition. Choksi, the owner of Gitanjali Group, is accused of defrauding PNB through fraudulent letters of undertaking and foreign letters of credit, allegedly with the help of bank officials.

Related Developments: His nephew, Nirav Modi, also implicated in the scam, is jailed in London. Meanwhile, the ED has attached assets worth over Rs 2,550 crore in this case, including luxury items and properties.

Previous Close Calls

This isn't Choksi's first brush with detention. In May 2021, he was held in Dominica for illegal entry, but a court allowed his return to Antigua for medical treatment, thwarting Indian authorities' attempts to bring him back.