After the arrest of fugitive diamond merchant Mehul Choksi in Belgium, another big disclosure has come to light. The arrest of Mehul wanted in India, is the result of more than seven years of hard work by Indian investigative agencies and investigation done day and night. The investigating agencies had to face many challenges in about three countries, but they did not give up and now they have had a big success.
The owner of Gitanjali Group is accused of fraud of Rs 12,636 crore in the government Punjab National Bank along with his nephew Nirav Modi, his wife Ami Modi, and his brother Nishal Modi. 65-year-old Mehul Choksi fled from India in 2018. After the scam came to light, he left the country and went to Antigua, where he took citizenship through an investment program.
Arrested in Dominican Republic in 2021
Earlier in 2021, Mehul Choksi was arrested in the Dominican Republic for illegal entry. A CBI team had reached the Caribbean country to secure his custody. Mehul Choksi's lawyers told the Dominican court that he needed to return to Antigua for treatment and assured that he would return later to face trial. After being in jail for 51 days, Choksi got relief from the British Queen's Privy Council and the extradition could not proceed. He went back to Antigua. Later, the charges of illegal entry against him in the Dominican Republic were dropped.
CBI and Enforcement Directorate kept an eye on the fugitive
During this time, the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate kept an eye on him. Last year they came to know that he was in Belgium. According to sources, they immediately informed the agencies. All documents related to the fraud case were also shared. The Belgian police arrested Mehul Choksi on April 12 and found that he was trying to flee to Switzerland. Mehul's wife Preeti is a Belgian citizen.
Submitted fake documents in Belgium
According to reports, Mehul Choksi submitted fake documents to get a residence card in Belgium. He also hid that he was a citizen of India and Antigua. Earlier in February, Choksi's lawyer told a Mumbai court that he could not return to India as he was in Belgium for treatment of blood cancer. The fugitive businessman had also said that he was ready to cooperate with Indian agencies and appear in courts through video conferencing. However, the offer was rejected and the agencies continued to work towards his extradition.
Work continues on a war footing to bring him back for trial
Now Indian officials are working on a war footing to bring him back for trial. Mehul Choksi's legal team has said that it will file a bail application and oppose his extradition to India.
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