In a landmark judgment that marks the beginning of the end for one of India's most wanted fugitives, a Belgian court has officially ordered the extradition of diamond merchant Mehul Choksi to India. The decision comes after an eight-year international manhunt for the billionaire accused of masterminding the massive Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case.
The Final Chapter Begins
The Belgian judicial system has delivered a decisive blow to Choksi's attempts to evade Indian authorities. The court's ruling paves the way for his return to India, where he faces multiple charges related to the ₹13,000 crore banking scandal that shook the nation's financial sector.
Eight Years of Evasion
Since 2018, Choksi has been living as a fugitive, moving between various countries while Indian enforcement agencies pursued international legal channels to secure his return. His escape from India shortly before the PNB scam came to light had become one of the most high-profile financial crime cases in recent Indian history.
What Comes Next?
With the extradition order now in place, Indian authorities can initiate the formal process of bringing Choksi back to face trial. The development represents a significant victory for Indian investigative agencies that have been working tirelessly across international borders to ensure accountability in one of the country's largest banking frauds.
The timing of this decision coincides with increased global cooperation in financial crime investigations and sends a strong message to economic offenders that international borders cannot provide permanent sanctuary from justice.
