Former Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP) Vikram Singh on Tuesday welcomed the arrest of fugitive diamond merchant Mehul Choksi in Belgium, calling it a major diplomatic and investigative success for India. Choksi, accused in the Rs 13,850 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud, was apprehended from a hospital in Belgium on April 12.
Speaking to media, Vikram Singh said:
“It has been made possible due to the tireless efforts of the CBI and ED. Interpol notices were also issued, although they were later withdrawn. Now that he has been arrested from a hospital in Belgium, I express my gratitude and thanks to the Belgian police and government as well.”
He praised the relentless pursuit of justice by Indian agencies such as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED), describing the arrest as a shining example of India’s growing global influence.
“This is the new India. Now, those who have looted India are not safe anywhere in the world,” he asserted.
Choksi’s arrest, Singh said, sets the stage for a likely extradition within a few months. He also emphasized the importance of recovering the Rs 13,500 crore allegedly looted by Choksi and his nephew Nirav Modi, who is also facing extradition proceedings in the UK.
“The 13,500 crore Rs that was looted also needs to be brought back to India. The money he has looted will now likely be used to hire lawyers and fight legal battles, just as Vijay Mallya did in England. But all escape routes are now closed. He will have to come back to India for extradition. It may take some time, but in the end, he will have to return.”
The Belgian Federal Public Service of Justice also confirmed the arrest and revealed that India has officially submitted an extradition request.
“Finally, the Belgian federal public service of Justice can confirm that the Indian authorities have introduced an extradition request for Choksi. As is standard in individual cases, no further details can be released at this stage,” the department stated.
Mehul Choksi, aged 65, fled India on January 2, 2018, just days before the massive PNB scam came to light. He had been living in the Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda, where he had obtained citizenship. His re-arrest marks a significant milestone in India’s continued efforts to bring economic offenders back to face justice.