Belgium’s foreign ministry has confirmed that Mehul Choksi, the fugitive diamond trader wanted in connection with the Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case, is currently residing in the country. The ministry acknowledged awareness of his presence, stating that it is treating the matter with importance but refrained from commenting further, citing confidentiality on individual cases.
Choksi is reportedly living in Antwerp with his wife, Preeti Choksi, who holds Belgian citizenship. He had previously been residing in Antigua and Barbuda before moving to Belgium, where he obtained a residency card.
News agency ANI also reported on Choksi’s presence in Belgium. David Jordens, a spokesperson for Belgium’s Federal Public Service (FPS) Foreign Affairs, reiterated that the case is under their jurisdiction but declined to share further details.
Choksi and his nephew, Nirav Modi, are accused of orchestrating a ₹13,500 crore fraud at Punjab National Bank (PNB) by misusing letters of undertaking. While Modi remains in a London prison, fighting extradition to India, Choksi fled the country in 2018. In May 2021, he briefly went missing from Antigua before being located and returned there.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) booked Choksi, Modi, their relatives, employees, and bank officials in 2018 for their involvement in the scam at PNB’s Brady House branch in Mumbai.
