Fugitive Mehul Choksi Residing in Belgium, Considering Move to Switzerland for Medical Care
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Synopsis
Mehul Choksi, a fugitive businessman implicated in a Rs 13,500-crore bank fraud, is reportedly living in Antwerp, Belgium, with his wife after obtaining residency. Indian authorities have called for his extradition, while Choksi plans to relocate to Switzerland for medical care, according to recent reports.
Key Takeaways
- Mehul Choksi wanted in India for fraud.
- Currently residing in Antwerp, Belgium.
- Indian authorities seek his extradition.
- Choksi plans to move to Switzerland for medical treatment.
- Involved in a bank fraud case worth Rs 13,500 crore.
New Delhi, March 23 (NationPress) Fugitive entrepreneur Mehul Choksi, wanted in India for his alleged role in a Rs 13,500-crore bank loan fraud, was once thought to be living in Antigua and Barbuda. However, he is now reported to be residing in Antwerp, Belgium, with his wife, Preeti Choksi, after acquiring a residency card, according to media sources.
Indian officials have requested Belgium to commence his extradition back to India, as reported by the Associated Times, a Caribbean-focused news outlet.
Nonetheless, this report has yet to be confirmed by Indian authorities.
Preeti Choksi holds Belgian citizenship.
Currently, Choksi is living in Antwerp, Belgium, with his wife after securing an 'F Residency Card' in the nation, as stated by a media report.
The report alleges that Choksi used forged and misleading documentation to obtain his residency in Belgium to evade extradition to India.
Sources in the report suggest that he submitted false declarations and forged documents to Belgian authorities, while concealing his Indian and Antiguan citizenship during the application process.
Additionally, it is suggested that Choksi is considering relocating to Switzerland for medical treatment at a prestigious cancer hospital.
Choksi and his nephew Nirav Modi are accused of embezzling Rs 13,500 crore from the state-owned Punjab National Bank (PNB) using fraudulent letters of undertaking.
Nirav Modi is currently in a London prison and is fighting against his extradition to India after facing numerous bail rejections.
Choksi vanished from Antigua in May 2021 but was later found and returned to the nation.
In December 2024, a special court in Mumbai approved the monetization of assets valued at Rs 2,565.9 crore, seized by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) since 2018 as part of its investigation into Choksi concerning the alleged Punjab National Bank fraud.
This court ruling followed a request from the victim banks, Punjab National Bank and ICICI Bank, backed by the ED.
Consequently, the transfer of assets has begun, with properties valued at over Rs 125 crore – including apartments in Mumbai and two factories in SEEPZ, Andheri – being handed over to the liquidator of Choksi's Gitanjali Gems Ltd.
Choksi faces multiple charges, including criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, cheating and dishonesty related to property delivery, corruption, and money laundering.
In December 2024, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman informed Parliament that properties worth over Rs 22,000 crore had been either restored or sold to settle debts of wanted individuals like Choksi.
