Belgium confirms fugitive Indian businessman Mehul Choksi in country: Report

Fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi is living in Belgium, the European nation has confirmed to a news channel. Choksi is one of India’s most wanted in connection with Punjab National Bank (PNB) loan fraud

The Belgian foreign ministry confirmed to news channel NDTV that they are aware of his presence and "attaches great importance and attention to it". The country, however, said it doesn't comment on individual cases.

News agency ANI also carried a report about Choksi's presence in Belgium."I can confirm that the Federal Public Service (FPS) Foreign Affairs is aware of this case and attaches great importance and attention to it. However, we do not comment on individual cases. Furthermore, this case falls under the competence of the FPS," David Jordens, Spokesperson and Head of Service for social media and press at Belgium's FPS told news agency ANI.

Earlier, Indian authorities requested the Belgian authorities to initiate his extradition to India, Associated Times, a media outlet that focuses on the Caribbean region, reported. There was no immediate confirmation of the report by Indian authorities.

Mehul Choksi, 65, is a fugitive Indian businessman and the owner of Gitanjali Group, a retail jewellery firm in India. He is wanted in India in connection with a ₹13,500-crore bank loan fraud case.

Choksi, along with his nephew Nirav Modi, is accused in the Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam where it is alleged that the Choksi-Modi duo defrauded the bank of more than ₹14,000 crore, Business Standard reported.

Choksi, his nephew Nirav Modi, their family members and employees, bank officials and others were booked by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in 2018 for perpetrating the alleged fraud in the Brady House branch of the PNB in Mumbai.

The businessman fled the country in January 2018.

Choksi was previously believed to have lived in Antigua and Barbuda before travelling to Belgium. His wife Preeti is known to be a Belgian citizen. Earlier this month, Antigua and Barbuda's Foreign Minister, EP Chet Greene, clarified that he had left the island for medical treatment abroad but remains a citizen of the country.

"Mehul Choksi is not on the island, I am told he left Antigua for medical attention abroad. He remains a citizen of Antigua & Barbuda. Your Government and my Government are working together on this matter. We have some traditions in democracy. We both respect the rule of law. Matter of Mehul Choksi has been subjected to legal review. Until such time it is reviewed and determined, there is nothing I can say, or any of us can say or do," Greene told news agency ANI.

Greene was in India to participate in the Raisina Dialogue, India's annual conference on geopolitics and geoeconomics organised by think tank ORF in partnership with Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

Where is Mehul Choksi?

Choksi is presently in Antwerp, Belgium with his wife, Preeti Choksi by securing 'F Residency Card' in the country, Associated Times, reported.

The report claimed that Choksi gave misleading and fabricated documentation to obtain residency in Belgium to escape extradition to India.

Choksi submitted "false declarations" and "forged documents" to Belgian authorities and misrepresented his nationality in his application process, failing to disclose the details of his existing citizenship of India and Antigua, the report said citing sources.

The report added that Choksi grounds of medical treatment at a well-known cancer hospital.

Choksi's nephew Nirav Modi, lodged in a London jail, is contesting his extradition to India after repeated denial of bail by courts. In May 2021, Choksi went missing from Antigua but was traced and returned to it later.