Fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi, wanted in connection with the ₹13,000 crore Punjab National Bank loan scam, has been arrested in Belgium. The arrest took place on Saturday after Indian agencies, including the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED), submitted an extradition request. Choksi, considered the second "prime suspect" after his nephew Nirav Modi, had been residing in Antigua since fleeing India in 2018 but travelled to Belgium last year citing medical treatment. Here are 10 important facts to know about the diamantaire:
Fugitive Diamantaire Taken Into Custody In Belgium: Mehul Choksi, 65, was arrested by Belgian authorities on Saturday in response to India's extradition request. "His bail will take time," said an officer aware of the situation. The CBI is now coordinating with Belgium to proceed with the extradition process.
Born In Mumbai, Educated In Gujarat: As per publicly available records, Choksi was born in Mumbai in 1959 and completed his education in Gujarat. The 65-year-old has three children with wife Preeti.

₹13,500 Crore PNB Scam: Choksi is the main accused in the ₹13,500 crore Punjab National Bank fraud case, along with his nephew Nirav Modi. The duo is accused of using fake Letters of Undertaking (LoUs) to obtain foreign credit from Indian banks.
Mehul Choksi Once Headed Gitanjali Group: Choksi was the promoter of the Gitanjali Group, a major jewellery brand in India and abroad. The business collapsed in 2018 after the bank scam surfaced.
Fled India Before Scam Broke: Choksi left India in early 2018, just before the fraud came to light. He secured citizenship of Antigua and Barbuda through their Citizenship by Investment programme.
Currently Residing In Antwerp: Choksi had travelled to Belgium last year from Antigua, reportedly for suspected cancer treatment. In February, his lawyer, V ijay Aggarwal, informed a Mumbai court that Choksi was in Belgium. He has been staying in Antwerp with his wife.
Mehul Choksi Allegedly Seeking Swiss Residency Next: Reports suggest Choksi obtained Belgian residency using false documents. There are claims he was looking to relocate to Switzerland for further treatment.
Mehul Choksi Dodged Extradition Before: In 2021, Choksi vanished from Antigua and was later found in Dominica. His sudden disappearance sparked allegations of a covert extraction attempt.
Choksi Abducted By Indian Agents? Mehul Choksi alleged he was "abducted by Indian agents" from Antigua and taken to Dominica by yacht on May 23, 2021. The next day, he surfaced in Dominica. Indian officials flew there on May 2,8 hoping to bring him back. But Choksi approached the Dominica high court alleging "abduction and torture". The island later dropped charges of illegal entry and sent him back to Antigua on July 15.
More Fraud Cases and FEO Hearing: Beyond the PNB scam, CBI filed three more cases against him in 2022 over bank frauds totalling ₹6,746 crore. Meanwhile, a special court in Mumbai is reviewing a plea from the ED to declare him a Fugitive Economic Offender (FEO) — a move that would empower authorities to confiscate his assets.