Breaking: PNB Scam Accused Mehul Choksi Arrested in Belgium, Extradition Process Likely to Begin Soon

In a major breakthrough for Indian agencies, fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi, accused in the ₹13,500 crore Punjab National Bank scam, has been arrested in Belgium. Sources confirm that this was a joint operation by the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate, who had been closely tracking Choksi’s movements. He was reportedly planning to flee Belgium for Switzerland under the pretext of undergoing cancer treatment. Choksi had hidden his citizenship status from Belgian authorities, but key documents shared by Indian agencies helped local security forces detain him. With his arrest, the process of extradition is expected to begin, and agencies are preparing to present strong evidence before Belgian courts. Mehul Choksi, along with his nephew Nirav Modi, allegedly used fake Letters of Undertaking and secured unauthorized foreign credit from PNB's Mumbai Brady House branch. The scam was uncovered in 2018 by a newly appointed bank manager. Six bank employees were arrested then. While Choksi’s arrest is a positive development, many are urging the Indian government to also recover the looted money. Political debates have reignited, with opposition parties demanding similar actions against other fugitives like Vijay Mallya and Nirav Modi.