An Indian diamond merchant, Mehul Choksi, who is wanted in connection with a major bank fraud case, has been arrested in Belgium, his lawyer confirmed.
Choksi and his nephew, Nirav Modi, are accused of orchestrating a $1.8 billion fraud involving Punjab National Bank (PNB), a leading Indian public lender.
Choksi’s lawyer, Vijay Aggarwal, stated that his client was detained on Saturday and is currently imprisoned. He plans to appeal for Choksi’s release, citing his poor health and arguing he poses no flight risk.
The arrest resulted from an Indian extradition request based on warrants issued in 2018 and 2021. Aggarwal intends to contest the extradition, claiming the case is politically motivated and arguing against the inhumane conditions of Indian prisons.
Nirav Modi, known for his celebrity clientele, is also implicated in the fraud.
Indian authorities have seized significant assets belonging to Modi, including jewellery, bank accounts, and properties in London and New York.
Modi, who is currently detained in the UK, previously lost an appeal against his extradition to India in 2022.
