From Escaping India to Getting Caught in Belgium: A Full Timeline of Mehul Choksi After the PNB Fraud Case

Introduction:

In this blog, we’ll walk you through the story of Mehul Choksi — the Indian businessman linked to a huge financial fraud case involving Punjab National Bank (PNB). From slipping out of India quietly to being found and arrested in Belgium years later, every part of his journey is filled with twists. Let’s break it all down step by step using simple, easy-to-understand language.

 Who is Mehul Choksi?

1. Business Start:
   Mehul Choksi is known for running Gitanjali Group, a well-known brand in the jewelry and diamond industry.

2. Big Success:
   For years, his business grew fast and reached both Indian and international markets.

3. Famous Connections:
   He is also the uncle of Nirav Modi, another businessman linked to the same bank fraud case.

4. Name in Headlines:
   Choksi's name became famous in the wrong way when he was accused of being part of a ₹13,000 crore scam involving PNB.

 What Was the PNB Fraud Case?

1. Massive Scam:
   In early 2018, Punjab National Bank revealed that a large amount of money was taken fraudulently using fake letters of credit.

2. How It Happened:
   Bank officials helped Choksi and Nirav Modi by issuing fake guarantees, allowing them to take huge loans from overseas banks.

3. Bank Losses:
   PNB suffered huge financial damage, and the Indian government came under pressure to respond.

4. Public Outrage:
   The case shocked the public and became one of India’s biggest financial scandals ever.

 How Did Mehul Choksi Leave India?

1. Quick Exit:
   Just before the scam became public, Choksi quietly left India in January 2018.

2. Destination Chosen:
   He flew to Antigua and Barbuda, a Caribbean nation that offers citizenship to investors.

3. Got New Citizenship:
   Choksi had already applied for Antiguan citizenship in 2017, and it was approved by the end of that year.

4. Smart Planning:
   This move looked carefully planned, as he left India just before official charges were filed.

 Life in Antigua and Barbuda

1. Staying Hidden:
   Choksi settled in Antigua and stayed low-key while Indian agencies began looking for him.

2. Legal Shield:
   Antigua has no extradition agreement with India, making it harder for India to bring him back.

3. Indian Government’s Push:
   Indian officials tried many times through diplomatic and legal channels to get him extradited.

4. Choksi’s Defense:
   He claimed he was being targeted unfairly and raised human rights issues to slow down extradition.

 Shocking Twist: Missing in 2021

1. Sudden Disappearance:
   In May 2021, Choksi went missing from Antigua and was later found in Dominica.

2. Strange Story:
   His lawyers said he was kidnapped by Indian agents and taken to Dominica by boat.

3. Dominica Drama:
   He was held in custody in Dominica, and a major legal fight began over where he would be sent — back to Antigua or to India.

4. Health Issues:
   Choksi claimed poor health and mistreatment, which further delayed the legal process.

 Mehul Choksi’s Global Legal Battle

1. International Media Attention:
   News channels from different countries followed the story as it became a diplomatic mess.

2. Multiple Lawyers:
   Choksi hired legal teams in Antigua, Dominica, and other countries to stop his return to India.

3. Social Media Buzz:
   People on the internet kept debating whether India should or could bring him back.

4. India’s Firm Stand:
   Indian agencies, including the CBI and ED, kept pressing charges and submitting documents to prove his guilt.

 Arrested in Belgium: The Latest Chapter

1. Caught Again:
   In April 2024, Mehul Choksi was reportedly arrested in Belgium.

2. Why Belgium?:
   It is still unclear why he was there, but many think he was moving to avoid legal pressure in Antigua.

3. Belgian Authorities Acted:
   Based on India’s request and Interpol alerts, Belgian police took him into custody.

4. Chance for Extradition:
   This new arrest gives India another chance to bring him back through legal channels.

 India’s Efforts to Bring Him Back

1. Fresh Requests Sent:
   Indian government is now working on sending formal extradition papers to Belgium.

2. Team of Lawyers Ready:
   A group of legal experts has been assigned to deal with Belgium’s legal system.

3. Big Political Matter:
   The case has again become a political topic in India, especially during election discussions.

4. Hopes High:
   Officials are hopeful that this time, the legal system in Belgium might allow extradition.

 The Legal Charges Against Him

1. CBI Investigations:
   Choksi is being investigated by India’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

2. ED Charges:
   The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has accused him of money laundering.

3. Court Summons:
   Multiple non-bailable warrants have been issued in Indian courts against him.

4. Loss to Country:
   The total money loss in the PNB case is estimated to be over ₹13,000 crore, and recovery is still pending.

 What’s Next for Mehul Choksi?

1. Still Under Watch:
   Choksi’s legal fate is now in the hands of Belgian authorities.

2. Possible Deportation:
   If the Belgian government agrees, he may finally be sent back to India.

3. More Trials Ahead:
   If he returns, he will face court trials in India and possible jail time.

4. Message to Others:
   His story is a strong warning to other people who try to cheat the financial system and run away.

 Conclusion

Mehul Choksi’s journey — from a top businessman to a wanted fugitive — shows how careful planning, international travel, and legal tricks can delay justice, but not avoid it forever. With his arrest in Belgium, India may finally get a chance to bring him back and close one of the biggest fraud cases in the country’s history.

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