Mehul Choksi Secures Belgian Residency, Plans Move to Switzerland to Evade Extradition

Fugitive Indian businessman Mehul Choksi has secured an F Residency Card in Belgium, allowing him to live in the country alongside his wife, Preeti Choksi, who is a Belgian citizen. According to a report from the Associated Times, Choksi obtained Belgian residency on November 15, 2023, allegedly using misleading and fraudulent documentation to escape extradition to India.

Choksi, wanted in India for defrauding Punjab National Bank (PNB) of over $2 billion, has a history of evading legal proceedings. He previously fled to Antigua and Barbuda, where he acquired citizenship under the country’s Citizenship by Investment Programme. His move to Belgium further complicates efforts by Indian authorities to bring him to justice.

India pressures Belgium for extradition

Despite securing Belgian residency, Choksi has not officially renounced his Indian citizenship. The report suggests that he misrepresented his nationality during his residency application process, failing to disclose details of his existing citizenship. 

Upon learning of Choksi’s presence in Belgium, Indian authorities have formally requested his extradition. However, securing an F Residency Card may allow Choksi to move freely within European countries, making it harder for India to track his whereabouts and bring him back to face trial.

New plans to move to Switzerland for ‘Medical treatment’

In yet another attempt to evade extradition, Choksi is reportedly planning to relocate to Switzerland under the pretext of seeking medical treatment at Hirslanden Klinik Aarau, a well-known cancer hospital. This follows his previous strategy of invoking humanitarian grounds to avoid deportation from Antigua.

Choksi’s ability to exploit legal and immigration loopholes has sparked criticism from the public, particularly towards Belgian officials who failed to conduct proper due diligence before granting him residency. 

Choksi’s criminal record and history of fraudulent escapes

Mehul Choksi fled India in 2018 after being accused of orchestrating the PNB fraud, one of the largest financial scams in India’s history. In September 2019, he was officially declared a Fugitive Economic Offender (EFO) under India’s FEO Act.

After moving to Antigua, Choksi staged a kidnapping in May 2021 to escape legal proceedings, later claiming he was abducted and tortured. However, investigations revealed that he used bribery and manipulation to create a false narrative and delay his extradition.

Now, reports indicate he has used similar tactics in Belgium, fabricating documentation and misleading authorities to gain residency. His case reflects a broader pattern of exploiting legal systems to avoid prosecution.

International implications and ongoing legal battles

Choksi’s residency in Belgium is a significant concern for Indian authorities, as it gives him greater mobility across Europe, making it easier for him to evade legal proceedings. His nephew, Nirav Modi, who was also involved in the PNB scam, remains entangled in UK legal battles after fleeing India.

Meanwhile, Antigua and Barbuda’s Foreign Minister, E.P. Chet Greene, confirmed that Choksi is no longer in the Caribbean nation. While attending the Raisina Dialogue in India, Greene stated, “Mehul Choksi is not on the island. I am told he left Antigua for medical attention abroad (but) he remains a citizen of Antigua and Barbuda. The governments, yours (India) and mine, are working together on this matter.”

As the Indian government intensifies efforts to bring Choksi back, his latest moves raise concerns over how international loopholes are exploited by economic offenders to escape justice.