Mehul Choksi Held in Belgium; Legal Team Cites Cancer Treatment to Block Extradition

Fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi, accused in the ₹13,850 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case, was taken into custody in Belgium on April 12. His legal representative, Vijay Aggarwal, confirmed the arrest and said an appeal will be submitted seeking his release on medical grounds.

Indian authorities have reportedly initiated the process to bring Choksi back to India, following a formal request to the Belgian government. However, his lawyers are working to halt the extradition, citing his ongoing treatment for cancer.

“My client, Mr. Mehul Choksi, is currently detained in Belgium. We will begin legal proceedings to appeal against this arrest and seek his release from custody,” Aggarwal told news agency ANI. “His deteriorating health due to cancer treatment is a key reason for the appeal, and he poses no threat of fleeing,” he added.

Aggarwal explained that Choksi's extradition has been pursued since 2018, with open-ended, non-bailable warrants issued against him. “Previously, there was an attempt to bring him back from Dominica, which didn’t succeed. Following a court ruling in Dominica, he was allowed to undergo medical treatment in Antigua. He had to travel to Belgium specifically for his ongoing treatment,” he said.

Choksi remains in custody as legal arguments over his health and India’s extradition request continue to unfold.