October 19, 2025

Hold your breath, India! The long chase for Mehul Choksi, the flashy diamond tycoon turned fugitive, just took a massive leap forward. On Friday, a Belgian court gave a green signal to his arrest and approved his extradition back to India. This means the man behind the jaw-dropping Rs 13,000 crore Punjab National Bank fraud scam might soon face the Indian law. Let’s rewind: Mehul Choksi once dazzled India with his gems, owning Gitanjali Gems. But in 2018, he was named the main culprit in a huge PNB scam, working alongside his nephew Nirav Modi (who’s now stuck in a London jail). They reportedly faked Letters of Undertaking and Foreign Letters of Credit at a Mumbai bank branch to illegally take loans from overseas, diverting crores away into their pockets. This explosive scandal shook the nation, making headlines everywhere. Choksi’s escape was like a thrilling crime movie! He fled India just before the scam broke, headed to the US, and then settled in Antigua and Barbuda where he secretly grabbed citizenship in 2017. It looked like he was preparing for trouble. But his safe haven didn’t last. In May 2021, he mysteriously vanished from Antigua and popped up in Dominica, another Caribbean island, where police caught him for illegal entry. The plot thickened: Choksi screamed he was kidnapped by 8-10 men, tied up, beaten, and forced onto a boat. A woman named Barbara Jabarica was allegedly part of this bizarre drama, but she denied helping him. Meanwhile, these shocking events stirred political storms in the Caribbean. Reports claimed Choksi’s brother met with opposition leaders promising big money for political support. The leaders denied it, calling the claims "fabricated and politically motivated." Still, Caribbean governments faced heavy criticism over how it all played out. Fast forward to April 2025, in a surprising twist, Choksi was nabbed in Antwerp, Belgium, while seeking medical treatment. With a Red Notice from Interpol and strong Indian pressure, Belgian police took him into custody on April 12. And here’s the spicy finale: On October 17, 2025, a Belgian court said yes to extradition! Choksi can appeal in 15 days, but Indian officials are already celebrating this win. A CBI team is ready to fly to Belgium and bring him home for trial. From dazzling diamonds to international drama, Choksi’s saga is far from over. But one thing’s clear: India is closing in on one of its most wanted men!

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Tags: Mehul choksi, Pnb scam, Extradition, Belgian court, India, Fugitive,