Elderly individual stands chargeds for alleged bank deception
Mehul Choksi, a key suspect in the Rs 13,500 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case, finds himself in the midst of a complex legal battle, with his extradition currently restrained by the High Court of Dominica. The court has extended an injunction preventing his removal from the country until further hearings, scheduled for June 2, 2025 [1].
Simultaneously, India is actively pursuing Choksi's extradition through formal requests. In a significant development, Choksi was arrested in Belgium (Antwerp) in April 2025 on India's extradition request. He remains in custody there, with Indian agencies such as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate conducting investigations. India is working closely with Belgian authorities to secure his transfer for trial [2][3].
Legal arguments have been forthcoming on both sides. In India, Choksi's defense has challenged the procedural validity of summons issued against him. His advocate argued that the summons order was mechanical and lacked "sufficient reasons" as required under Section 204 of the Criminal Procedure Code [5]. Meanwhile, habeas corpus petitions have been filed in Dominica by Choksi's lawyers, arguing against his extradition.
The case personnel in India, including the CBI and ED, are pressing for Choksi's return as part of a broader crackdown on fugitives involved in multi-billion-dollar bank frauds. Other figures like Nirav Modi are also under investigation [4].
This reflects an active, multi-jurisdictional legal battle with significant procedural and diplomatic complexity. It remains unclear whether Choksi and Modi will be extradited to India. Choksi's lawyer plans to argue that the case is "political", while another argument will focus on the alleged inhumane conditions in Indian prisons [6].
Antwerp, known as the world's diamond trading hub, has been Choksi's residence with his family during his stay there [7]. Nirav Modi, another key suspect in the PNB fraud case, has been in a British prison since 2019 [8]. An extradition request has been made for Modi.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the world watches with bated breath, anticipating the resolution of this high-stakes, multi-jurisdictional drama.
- The ongoing legal battle for Mehul Choksi's extradition involves not only Indian agencies like the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate, but also extends to the finance and general-news industries, as they closely monitor the proceedings.
- The crime-and-justice sector is keenly interested in the extradition case of Nirav Modi, another key suspect in the Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case, as his extradition request is being processed.
