Fugitive Businessman Mehul Choksi Residing in Belgium: Extradition Sought
Mehul Choksi, a fugitive businessman, is reportedly living in Antwerp, Belgium with his wife after obtaining a residency card. Indian authorities have requested his extradition due to his involvement in a Rs 13,500-crore bank fraud case. Choksi allegedly used fraudulent documentation to secure residency and is considering moving to Switzerland for medical treatment.
Fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi is reportedly residing in Antwerp, Belgium, alongside his wife, Preeti Choksi. He has allegedly obtained a residency card, as confirmed by a media report from Associated Times, which specializes in Caribbean affairs. Following this revelation, Indian authorities have formally requested Belgium to facilitate Choksi’s extradition back to India, although there has been no immediate confirmation from Indian officials regarding this development.
Choksi is a significant figure in a bank loan fraud case involving Rs 13,500 crore and was previously thought to be living in Antigua and Barbuda before relocating to Belgium. His wife, Preeti, holds Belgian citizenship, which may have influenced his move. Reports indicate that Choksi acquired residency by submitting misleading and fabricated documents, thereby attempting to evade extradition.
Moreover, the report alleges that Choksi provided false declarations and forged documents during his application for residency, omitting details about his Indian and Antiguan citizenships. He is purportedly planning to travel to Switzerland for medical treatment at a reputable cancer hospital, indicating a potential further evasion of legal proceedings in India.
Both Choksi and his nephew, Nirav Modi, are implicated in the fraudulent extraction of Rs 13,500 crore from Punjab National Bank through the use of deceitful letters of undertaking. Modi is currently detained in a London prison, where he is contesting his extradition after multiple bail denials. After an incident in May 2021, where Choksi vanished from Antigua, he was subsequently located and returned to the island.
Mehul Choksi’s current residence in Belgium raises concerns for Indian authorities, who are seeking his extradition related to a significant bank fraud case. Allegations of fabricated documents used to secure residency highlight the complexity of his legal situation. The ongoing cases against both Choksi and his nephew underscore the ramifications of their alleged fraudulent activities.
Original Source: indianexpress.com
