India Prepares Multi-Agency Team for Mehul Choksi’s Extradition from Belgium:

A team of Indian authorities is set to leave for Belgium, which includes members from Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Enforcement Directorate (ED), Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), and legal experts from around the world. This comes after the arrest of Mehul Choksi, one of the main suspects in the 13,000 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case.

The 65-year-old Choksi was nabbed in Antwerp on April 12. He’s an Antiguan citizen since 2018 Choksi but went to Belgium last year for medical treatment.

CBI Takes Over Coordinated Efforts with ED

The CBI confirmed that a delegation will be in Belgium next week to ensure the prosecution stays in-situ and to interact with required Belgium authorities to expedite the extradition. ED has already shared some of the essential documents and evidence that strengthen the case.

In 2018, the ED successfully petitioned for his designation as a Fugitive Economic Offender. Subsequent hearings faced significant delays as a result of legal challenges from Choksi's defense team.

Choksi's Legal Strategies Come Under Fire

Choksi reportedly slipped out of India during the first week of January in 2018 under dubious circumstances. Claims that a suspended passport prevents him from returning India, but denying these arguments, the ED claims is unsubstantiated.

Significant progress has not been made even after the ‘stay on the FEO proceedings were lifted’ by the Bombay High Court in September 2023. Choksi’s lawyers keep citing his medical treatment as a reason for filing new petitions and claiming delays.

Background: PNB Scam And Other Key Accused

Mehul Choksi and his nephew Nirav Modi stand accused on the basis of implementing a multi-billion dollar banking scam through forged Letters of Undertaking from PNB’s Brady House Branch, located in Mumbai. While Modi remains in the UK since 2019, Choksi has recently been arrested.