Mehul Choksi Arrest: Belgium confirms India's extradition request for PNB scam co-accused

India has filed for the extradition of PNB scam co-accused Mehul Choksi, Belgium confirmed on Monday. Choksi, who was arrested on April 12, is currently under detention, Belgian federal public service of Justice was quoted by news agency ANI. The 65-year-old fugitive businessman has been one of the accused in Rs 13,000 crore PNB fraud along with his nephew Nirav Modi.

After living in Antigua for some time, Choksi had reportedly travelled to Belgium for a medical treatment. From India, both Enforcement Directorate as well as CBI are in touch with Belgian authorities. While the Interpol Red Notice against the fugitive businessman was deleted a while back, India has been actively looking for ways to bring back Choksi. A Times of India report said that to substantiate the extradition request, the Indian officials have added both 2018 and 2021 arrest warrants that were issued against Choksi by the Mumbai Special Court.

Choksi's lawyer Vijay Agarwal confirmed the April 12 arrest and said that at present, he is in a Belgian prison. There are reports that the ONB scam co-accused may apply for bail on health grounds. The TOI report quoting Agarwal said that Choksi's side will highlight the deplorable conditions of prisons in India. The legal defence may also say that the case against Choksi is politically motivated, Agarwal was quoted as saying.