Mehul Choksi, who was earlier believed to be residing in Antigua and Barbuda, has reportedly moved to Antwerp, Belgium, with his wife, Preeti Choksi, after obtaining an ‘F Residency Card.’
India has intensified its push for the extradition of fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi as multiple countries, including Belgium and Antigua & Barbuda, closely monitor his case. Choksi, accused of defrauding Punjab National Bank (PNB) of over Rs 14,000 crore along with his nephew Nirav Modi, remains at the centre of international legal scrutiny.
David Jordens, Spokesperson and Head of Service for social media and press at Belgium’s Federal Public Service (FPS) Foreign Affairs, confirmed that Belgian authorities are tracking the case. “I can confirm that the FPS Foreign Affairs is aware of this case and attaches great importance and attention to it. However, we do not comment on individual cases. Furthermore, this case falls under the competence of the FPS Justice,” he stated.
David Jordens, Spokesperson at Belgium’s Federal Public Service (FPS) Foreign Affairs, confirmed that Belgian authorities are tracking the case.
Choksi, who was earlier believed to be residing in Antigua and Barbuda, has reportedly moved to Antwerp, Belgium, with his wife, Preeti Choksi, after obtaining an ‘F Residency Card.’ Indian authorities have requested Belgium to initiate extradition proceedings, but there has been no official confirmation from New Delhi regarding Choksi’s current status.
According to media reports, Choksi allegedly submitted misleading and fabricated documents to Belgian authorities to secure residency, concealing his Indian and Antiguan citizenship. Sources suggest he is now planning to relocate to Switzerland for medical treatment at a reputed cancer hospital.
Antigua and Barbuda Weighs In
Antigua & Barbuda’s Foreign Minister, E.P. Chet Greene, has stated that while Choksi has left the island for medical treatment abroad, he remains an Antiguan citizen. “Your Government and my Government are working together on this matter. We both respect the rule of law. The matter of Mehul Choksi has been subjected to legal review,” Greene told ANI.
Choksi first fled to Antigua in 2018 after being implicated in the massive PNB scam. He was granted Antiguan citizenship but disappeared in May 2021, only to be found in Dominica, where he claimed he was abducted. He was later returned to Antigua after legal proceedings prevented his extradition to India.
Legal and Financial Crackdown in India
Back in India, authorities continue efforts to bring Choksi to justice. In December 2024, a special court in Mumbai authorised the monetisation of assets worth Rs 2,565.9 crore seized by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) as part of its probe into Choksi’s money laundering activities. This process has already begun, with assets worth over Rs 125 crore—including luxury flats in Mumbai and two factories in SEEPZ, Andheri—handed over to liquidators of Choksi’s defunct company, Gitanjali Gems Ltd.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman informed Parliament that properties worth more than Rs 22,000 crore have been recovered from fugitives such as Choksi, Nirav Modi, and Vijay Mallya, aiming to compensate defrauded banks.
Nirav Modi’s Parallel Legal Battle
Choksi’s nephew, Nirav Modi, is also battling extradition from the United Kingdom. Modi remains incarcerated in a London jail after multiple failed bail attempts. UK courts have ruled in favour of his extradition, but legal appeals have stalled the process.
India’s Extradition Hurdles
Despite India’s diplomatic and legal efforts, Choksi’s extradition remains a complex challenge. While the Belgian government is closely monitoring the case, it has not publicly committed to extradition proceedings. With Choksi reportedly planning to move to Switzerland, concerns grow over further delays in bringing him back to face justice.
As India continues its crackdown on economic offenders, the case of Mehul Choksi remains one of the most high-profile extradition battles, with multiple governments, legal systems, and diplomatic channels involved.
