Fugitive diamond dealer Mehul Choksi, wished in reference to the Punjab Nationwide Financial institution (PNB) mortgage fraud case, was arrested by Belgium police, his lawyer confirmed on Monday. The arrest got here simply as Choksi was planning to flee to Switzerland for medical therapy.

Choski is accused of a Rs 12,636 crore fraud on the state-run Punjab Nationwide Financial institution alongside together with his nephew Nirav Modi, his spouse Ami Modi, and his brother Neeshal Modi. In 2018, Choksi fled India and took citizenship in Antigua.

Choksi, who was primarily based in Antigua by way of a citizenship-by-investment program, managed to safe an F residency card from Belgium on November 15 final 12 months. He used paperwork belonging to his spouse, Preeti Choksi, who’s a Belgium nationwide.

In line with Enforcement Directorate (ED) sources, Choksi misled the Belgium authorities by citing humanitarian grounds for medical therapy and used cast and false paperwork to assist his claims. Sources added that he has not renounced his Indian or Antiguan citizenship however nonetheless utilized for an F residency card from Belgian authorities, which he efficiently obtained.

When Indian authorities realised that Choksi was planning to improve his standing to an F+ residency card, which might make extradition from Belgium harder, they moved shortly to request his extradition. In response, the Belgium authorities halted the conversion of his F residency card to F+ standing.

Choksi had utilized for most cancers therapy at Hirslanden Klinik Aarau, a specialised most cancers facility in Switzerland. He had almost secured admission and accomplished a lot of the essential procedures. Nonetheless, earlier than he might depart Belgium, he was taken into provisional custody by authorities in Antwerp. In Switzerland, he additionally utilized for pressing medical therapy, once more citing his well being situation and humanitarian grounds.