Mehul Choksi arrested: What are the charges in India?

Fugitive diamond trader Mehul Choksi, wanted in connection with the Punjab National Bank (PNB) loan fraud case, has been arrested.

Transcript

00:00Fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi, co-accused in India's largest banking fraud, has been

00:05arrested in Belgium.

00:06This sparks a significant development in the Rs 13,850 crore Punjab national bank scam

00:12that has gripped the nation since 2018.

00:15Choksi was reportedly detained at a hospital in Belgium, where his lawyers say he is undergoing

00:19treatment for blood cancer.

00:21Sources suggest that Belgian authorities acted on extradition requests from the CBI and Enforcement

00:27Directorate.

00:28The former head of Gitanjali Gems faces several serious charges in India, including criminal

00:33conspiracy and cheating for deceiving Punjab national bank, money laundering for funerling

00:37illicit wealth and corruption.

00:39The PNB scam came to light in January 2018, when the bank reported fraudulent transactions

00:45worth $1.8 billion involving Mehul Choksi and his nephew Nirav Modi.

00:51By February 2018, both had fled India, evading authorities.

00:55In March 2019, Nirav Modi was arrested in London and is awaiting extradition.

00:59After years on the run, Mehul Choksi was finally detained in Belgium in April 2025 while allegedly

01:05receiving medical treatment.

01:06Choksi's arrest in Belgium paves the way for extradition as Indian authorities push for

01:11his return.

01:13Choksi has previously contested extradition, citing health issues, his Antiguan citizenship

01:18and now his Belgian residency permit.

01:21It's unbelievable how he got caught in Belgium.

01:25So, it's very important now to not only get him back to India, but also it's most important

01:31is to get back the money he looted.

01:33Ultimately, that is what India needs apart from getting Mehul Choksi back home.

01:38So, I hope the government of India has identified where he stashed away his money.

01:43Choksi's arrest in Belgium marks a significant achievement for the Indian government following

01:47the successful extradition of Tawur Rana, the 2611 Mumbai attacks conspirator.