Fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi is reportedly living in Antwerp, Belgium, with his wife after obtaining residency. Indian authorities have sought his extradition due to a ₹13,500 crore bank fraud case. Allegations indicate he may have provided false documentation to secure his residency. He is also considering moving to Switzerland for medical treatment.
Mehul Choksi, a fugitive businessman, has recently been reported to be residing in Antwerp, Belgium, along with his wife, Preeti Choksi. They secured residency in Belgium, and Indian authorities have approached Belgian officials for his extradition in connection with a significant ₹13,500 crore bank fraud, as reported by Associated Times, a Caribbean-focused media outlet. As of now, there has been no official confirmation from Indian authorities regarding this matter.
Previously believed to be living in Antigua and Barbuda, Choksi’s move to Belgium raises concerns about his intentions. His wife, Preeti, holds Belgian citizenship, which may have facilitated his residency application. Reports indicate that Choksi may have used misleading information to obtain the ‘F Residency Card’, allegedly providing fabricated documents and failing to disclose his Indian and Antiguan citizenships.
In addition to his current situation, it has been reported that Choksi has intentions of relocating to Switzerland under the pretext of seeking medical treatment for a serious health issue at a prominent cancer treatment facility. Choksi, alongside his nephew Nirav Modi, is implicated in defrauding the Punjab National Bank (PNB) through fraudulent transactions that amount to a staggering ₹13,500 crore.
Nirav Modi is currently incarcerated in London, where he is challenging his own extradition to India after facing consistent denials of bail from the courts. The timeline of events indicates that Choksi disappeared from Antigua in May 2021, but later, he was traced and returned to the island nation.
In summary, Mehul Choksi, wanted for extensive financial fraud in India, is residing in Belgium with his wife after allegedly securing residency through deceptive means. Indian authorities are actively pursuing his extradition while he contemplates further relocation to Switzerland, under the guise of medical treatment. The situation highlights ongoing international legal challenges and the complexities involved in extraditing accused individuals who attempt to evade justice.
Original Source: indianexpress.com
