Mehul Choksi—the fugitive diamond businessman at the center of the massive ₹14,000 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam—has been arrested in Belgium. After years of evading Indian authorities, this could finally be a turning point in bringing him back to face justice in India.
Choksi fled the country in 2018 and has since been living in Antigua, where he gained citizenship. Despite multiple attempts by Indian agencies, legal roadblocks kept him out of reach. Now that he’s been detained in Belgium, hopes are high that the extradition process may finally move forward—thanks to a treaty signed between India and Belgium in 2020 under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
What Does the India-Belgium Extradition Treaty Say?
India and Belgium signed a modern extradition treaty in 2020, replacing a much older agreement from the British era (1901). The updated treaty outlines clear procedures for extraditing individuals accused or convicted of serious crimes.
Under this treaty:
- Any person facing charges that carry a sentence of one year or more in both countries is eligible for extradition.
- Crimes like tax evasion, financial fraud, and corruption are covered.
- Political offenses are exempt, though not all cases can be classified as political.
- Extradition can be denied if it appears the person will be persecuted based on race, religion, gender, or nationality.
Choksi has previously argued that he is being politically persecuted, a claim he may use again to fight his extradition.
Did PM Modi’s Deal Open the Door?
The Modi government has prioritized bringing economic offenders back to India, and the 2020 treaty with Belgium is part of that broader strategy. Now, with Choksi being arrested in a country that has a formal legal agreement with India, the path to extradition looks more realistic than ever before.
Illness as a Legal Defense—Again?
According to a report in The Economic Times, Choksi has claimed in court that he is suffering from leukemia (a type of blood cancer). He has submitted a medical opinion from a Belgian doctor stating he is unfit to travel.
Leukemia weakens the body’s ability to fight infection and can require constant medical supervision. Choksi’s legal team is expected to use this illness as a primary argument against extradition—something similar to what he did in the past.
In 2021, he was also briefly detained in Dominica after allegedly fleeing Antigua. At that time, he claimed he had been kidnapped and beaten—photos showing injuries on his body were widely circulated. He managed to return to Antigua before the extradition process could take place.
