Mehul Choksi’s story: Fraud, Escape and journey till arrest in Belgium|
Mehul Choksi, a famous diamantaire and owner of Gitanjali Group, is the main accused in the 12,636 crore Punjab National Bank fraud. He fled from India in 2018 and took citizenship in Antigua and Barbuda, where he built his new home.
From Antigua to Dominican Republic
In 2021, Mehul Choski was arrested in Dominican Republic for illegal entry. He claimed that Indian agents forcibly picked him up from Antigua and took him to Dominican Republic in a boat. He also said that he was beaten and tortured.
Barbara Jabarika’s name surfaced
After this incident, the name of a Hungarian woman Barbara Jabarika was in the news. Choksi’s wife said that Barbara was a part of a “honeytrap” and her husband got caught in that trap. But Barbara told all the lies. She said, “I am not Choksi’s girlfriend. I do not need his money, support, or fake jewellery.”
Barbar told that Choksi had told his name as “Raj” and they met for the first time in August 2020. She also claimed that Choksi had planned to go to Cuba.
Accusation of Choksi
Choksi accused Barbara of not helping when she was being taken to the Dominican Republic by boat. He said, “Her behavior was such as if everyone was involved in this planning.”
Reaction of Priti Choksi
Priti Choksi called all the statements of Barbara false. She said, “How is it possible that Barbara did not know anything about such a big news? If the person who was Choksi’s ‘friend’, why did she not say anything in his support?”
51 days in jail and back to Antigua
Choksi remained in the Dominican Republic jail for 51 days, then went back to Antigua after getting relief from the Queen’s Privy Council of the UK. And from there India could not extradite him. Later the charges of illegal entry into the Dominican Republic were also dropped.
Interpol Red Notice removed
In 2023, Interpol removed the Red Notice against Mehul Choksi. The CBI said that Choksi confused Interpol by telling false stories in international forums. But the CBI also said that having a Red Notice is not necessary to extradite someone.
Arrest in Belgium
In 2024, Indian agencies came to know that Choksi is in Belgium. Indian authorities immediately informed Belgian agencies. Belgian police arrested Choksi when he was trying to flee to Switzerland. His wife Priti is a Belgian citizen. According to the information, Choksi gave fake documents to stay in Belgium and hid his Indian and Antiguan citizenship.
Lawyer’s Defense
Choksi’s lawyer said that Choksi is undergoing cancer treatment in Belgium and cannot come to India. Who wants to continue treatment in Switzerland. The lawyer also said that his client may face unfair treatment upon coming to India, hence he wants to protect himself.
