Fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi is reportedly residing in Antwerp, Belgium. As per media reports, the businessman surfaced in Belgium and is said to be living there with his wife, Preeti Choksi, after securing a residency card.
As reported by the Associated Times, a Caribbean-focused outlet, Indian authorities have called on Belgian authorities to initiate Choksi's extradition to India. The same is yet to be confirmed by the Ministry of External Affairs.
As per the Associated Times, Choksi secured an "F Residency Card" in Belgium in November 2023. The report further adds that Choksi's allegedly fabricated his documents to Belgian authorities to misrepresent his nationality during the application process.
Before he was spotted in Belgium, Choksi was believed to be living in Antigua and Barbuda. As per reports, the fugitive businessman is now headed towards Switzerland.
His stay in Antigua and Barbuda was confirmed by Foreign Minister EP Chet Greene during the Raisina Dialogues. Greene stated that Choksi is no longer on the island.
Who Is Mehul Choksi?
Mehul Choksi is an Indian businessman and owner of Gitanjali Group. The businessman is wanted in India in connection with a Rs. 13,500 crore bank loan fraud case.
Choksi, along with his nephew Nirav Modi, have been accused of defrauding Punjab National Bank of over Rs 14,000 crore.
After the scam surfaced, Choksi, Modi and their family members and aides were booked by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in 2018. That same year, Mehul Choksi fled India.
