Indian national Mehul Choksi, who became a CIP citizen of Antigua and Barbuda seven years ago before facing legal issues in India, has been arrested in Belgium.
Choksi’s detention has been covered by media outlets including Reuters and the Indian Express.
According to a Reuters report dated April 14, which cites India’s Enforcement Directorate as its source, the Indian government had submitted a request for Choksi’s extradition prior to his arrest.
The jeweler intends to file an appeal for his release.
Choksi’s lawyer, Vijay Aggarwal, claims Choksi is not a flight risk because he is undergoing cancer treatment. Additionally, the lawyer stated that Choksi did not commit any offence in Belgium.
Choksi is alleged to have collaborated with his nephew, jeweler Nirav Modi, in defrauding the Punjab National Bank of millions of dollars. The potential fraud came to light in 2018. Soon after, in January of that year, Choksi was granted Antiguan and Barbudan citizenship under the Citizenship by Investment Programme (CIP).
He subsequently relocated to Antigua and Barbuda, and for the past seven years, the Indian Government has been pursuing his extradition to face charges of fraud.
Efforts to extradite Choksi back to India were halted when he sought orders from the High Court of Justice to prevent the government from detaining him for extradition to his home country.
Prime Minister Gaston Browne had indicated then that a person cannot be repatriated to their country of birth while being a citizen of another country without first having an extradition order and then going through a legal process.
Observer asked Attorney General Sir Steadroy Benjamin if Choksi’s extradition issues in Antigua and Barbuda are still pending, and what his arrest in Belgium means for those matters.
Sir Steadroy has committed to contacting Observer following his inquiries to ascertain whether or not Choksi has any matters remain pending before the court.
