**Mehul Choksi Faces Setback in Belgium Court Over Arrest Challenge**
Fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi, implicated in the Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam, encountered another setback on Tuesday as a Belgian court postponed the hearing regarding his appeal against his arrest. Choksi, identified as a key suspect in the Rs 13,000-crore PNB loan fraud, was taken into custody by Belgian authorities on April 12 in Antwerp, following an extradition request from India’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
This marks Choksi’s second attempt to contest his arrest, with his latest plea arguing that the arrest process was arbitrary and unlawful. His previous request for bail was denied by the court last week. The new hearing date has yet to be announced.
On April 22, a Belgian court rejected Choksi’s initial bail request, where he cited health concerns and expressed a desire to be with his family, even offering to comply with conditions such as wearing a GPS-enabled anklet.
The Indian government is actively collaborating with Belgian authorities to facilitate Choksi’s extradition, ensuring he faces trial in India. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, “Based on our extradition request, he was arrested. We are working closely with the Belgium side on his extradition so that he can face trial in the country.”
Choksi is accused of defrauding Punjab National Bank of over Rs 6,095 crore through a sophisticated banking scam involving the fraudulent issuance of Letters of Undertaking (LOUs) and manipulation of Foreign Letters of Credit (FLCs). While the total estimated fraud exceeds Rs 13,000 crore, investigative agencies have focused their case against Choksi on the Rs 6,095 crore directly linked to his operations.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the implications of Choksi’s case continue to resonate within the financial and legal communities, highlighting the ongoing challenges in addressing large-scale financial fraud.
**FAQ**
**What are the charges against Mehul Choksi?**
Mehul Choksi is accused of defrauding Punjab National Bank of over Rs 6,095 crore through a banking scam involving fraudulent Letters of Undertaking and manipulation of Foreign Letters of Credit.
