Belgian police arrests Mehul Choksi, Indian authorities to seek extradition

Diamantaire accused of fraud Mehul Choksi has been arrested by the Belgian police following a request by the Indian Central Bureau of Investigation and has been placed in jail in Belgium. 

Investigating agencies from India send a formal request to authorities in Belgium to seek Choksi’s arrest as part of the ongoing fraud case involving the Punjab National Bank, ET Bureau reported. Sightings of Choksi in Belgium had been reported since last autumn when it was reported that he was residing in Belgium to receive medical treatment, having travelled from Antigua where he had been based for several years. 

Belgian police referenced arrest warrants made by a Mumbai court in 2018 and 2021 when arresting Choksi in the country, anonymous sources close to the development told the Economic Times. Due to his reported ill health, Choksi is expected to seek immediate bail but Indian authorities will challenge this and seek to extradite Choksi to stand trial in India. 

“In pursuance to the order, the process of handing over of assets has been initiated and properties worth more than Rs 125 crore have been handed over to the liquidator of Gitanjali Gems,” announced the Enforcement Directorate at the end of 2024, the Economic Times reported. The Enforcement Directorate  announced at the time that it had begun to restore assets worth Rs 2,500 crore as part of the probe against Choksi.