The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday addressed the media queries related to fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi. MEA confirmed that Choksi was arrested in Belgium upon India’s extradition request and the Indian government is working closely with Belgian authorities to facilitate his return. MEA Spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal stated this during a weekly briefing in Delhi. “Based on our extradition request, he was arrested. We are working closely with the Belgium side on his extradition,” said Jaiswal.
The Belgian Federal Public Service of Justice had confirmed that Choksi was arrested on April 12. Choksi is currently being held in detention there.
The Belgian federal public service of Justice told ANI, “The Belgian federal public service of Justice can confirm that Mr. Mehul Choksi was arrested on Saturday, 12th of April 2025. He is being detained in anticipation of further judicial proceedings. Access to his legal counsel has been assured,” the Belgian federal public service of Justice told ANI.
They further confirmed that India has ‘introduced’ a formal extradition request for Choksi. “Finally, the Belgian federal public service of Justice can confirm that the Indian authorities have introduced an extradition request for Mr. Choksi. As is standard in individual cases, no further details can be released at this stage,” they stated.
Why Is Choksi Wanted?
Mehul Choksi, 65, fled India on January 2, 2018. He is one of the accused in the Rs 13,850 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case. His arrest was made based on two non-bailable warrants issued by the Mumbai court, dated May 23, 2018, and June 15, 2021, as per reports. In 2018, Mehul Choksi, along with his nephew Nirav Modi, their family employees, and several bank officials, were charged by ED and CBI in connection with the fraud at PNB’s Brady House branch in Mumbai.
Meanwhile, Choksi’s lawyer, Vijay Aggarwal, claimed that his client’s “human rights” would be “greatly affected” if he were extradited to India.
What’s Holding Up Choksi’s Extradition?
MEA on Thursday confirmed that India is working “closely with the Belgian side” on the extradition process. When will be he extradited? is a question that is lingering in everyone’s mind. In such case it is important to note that legal procedures in international extradition cases are often lengthy and complex. The procedure often gets delayed if human rights concerns is raised by the counsel and depends on judicial proceedings of the country. Choksi will be first produced before the Belgian Minister Of Justice, Annelies Verlinden. The Minister will then evaluate India’s extradition request.
