Timeline Of Events That Lead To Mehul Choksi's Arrest In Belgium

Fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi, who is wanted in India in connection with the multi-crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case, has been arrested in Belgium.

The arrest follows several years after Choksi fled India in 2018 and secured citizenship in Antigua.

Photo Credit: AP/PTI

It was carried out at the behest of Indian authorities, including the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED), following non-bailable warrants issued by Mumbai courts.

However, Choksi is now preparing to contest the extradition. According to news agency ANI, his legal team is planning to seek bail and has expressed its intention to challenge the extradition request.

The defence team argues that Choksi has valid grounds to resist extradition, citing his medical condition among other concerns.

Timeline of events

2017: Mehul Choksi acquired Antiguan citizenship.

2018: He fled India, initially travelling to the United States before settling in Antigua.

2019: His nephew, Nirav Modi, was arrested by the Metropolitan Police in London. Although he has exhausted all legal options against extradition, he remains in custody in the UK.

March 2023: Interpol withdrew the Red Notice issued against Choksi.

2024: Choksi and his wife reportedly relocated from Antigua to Belgium.

Early 2025: Antiguan media reported that the couple was considering relocating to Geneva.

February 2025: Choksi's legal representatives informed a special court in Mumbai that he was undergoing treatment for blood cancer in Antwerp, Belgium.

March 2025: Mehul and Preeti Choksi obtained F-Residency cards in Belgium. Preeti, a Belgian citizen, has family ties in the country, as does Choksi's extended family.

April 2025: Choksi was detained at a hospital in Belgium, where he was reportedly receiving medical treatment. His arrest came shortly after Indian authorities ramped up their extradition efforts.

(With agency inputs)