Archive · 29 Nov 2025
Court Rejects Choksi's Plea to Drop Fugitive Tag
Mehul Choksi is a diamond trader who is accused of cheating a bank out of a lot of money.
He left India in 2018 and is now in Belgium.
The Indian court said that even though he is in Belgium, they can still declare him a fugitive economic offender.
Choksi's lawyers said he is already in custody in Belgium because of India's request, so he shouldn't be declared a fugitive.
But the court said that until he is brought back to India, the case can continue.
Choksi is also fighting his extradition in the Belgium Supreme Court.
The court decided that the case to declare him a fugitive can continue because he is not yet back in India.
A special court rejected Mehul Choksi's plea to dismiss proceedings to declare him a Fugitive Economic Offender (FEO).
Choksi is accused of making unlawful financial gains through fraudulent Letters of Undertaking from Punjab National Bank.
Choksi left India on January 7, 2018, and is currently in Belgium, where he is fighting extradition.
Choksi's lawyers argued that his detention in Belgium should be considered 'constructive custody', but the court disagreed.
The Enforcement Directorate stated that Choksi is contesting extradition proceedings to avoid returning to India, and thus the FEO proceedings should continue.
- Who
- Mehul Choksi, a diamond trader and prime accused in the PNB fraud case
- What
- A special court rejected his plea to drop proceedings to declare him a Fugitive Economic Offender (FEO)
- When
- The plea was rejected on Friday (specific date not mentioned)
- Where
- In a special court (location not specified)
- Why
- Choksi is accused of siphoning off over Rs 13,000 crore from PNB using fraudulent LoUs and FLCs
Mehul Choksi's Defense
Enforcement Directorate's Argument
Constructive Custody
Mehul Choksi's Defense
Choksi's lawyers argued that his detention in Belgium should be considered 'constructive custody' as he is already in custody for cases pending in India.
Enforcement Directorate's Argument
The ED opposed this, stating that the FEO proceedings terminate only when the accused appears in India, not when they are in custody abroad.
Extradition Proceedings
Mehul Choksi's Defense
Choksi's defense claimed that since he is fighting extradition in Belgium, the FEO proceedings should be dismissed.
Enforcement Directorate's Argument
The ED argued that Choksi is avoiding returning to India by contesting the extradition proceedings, and thus the FEO proceedings should continue.
- Name
- Mehul Choksi
- Occupation
- Diamond Trader
- Alleged Crime
- Fraudulent Letters of Undertaking from PNB
- Current Location
- Belgium
- Legal Status
- Absconding Accused
- Court Decision
- Rejected Plea to Dismiss Fugitive Case
- Date of Departure from India
- January 7, 2018
- Amount Involved
- Over Rs 13,000 crore
- Co-Accused
- Nirav Modi
Sources
Court rejects Choksi plea to dismiss proceedings to declare him a fugitive economic offender
Allahabad HC Rejects Bail Plea of Chinese Citizen Accused of Possessing Forged Passport
Court Rejects Mehul Choksi's Plea To Drop Fugitive Economic Offender Tag
PNB Fraud Case: Special Court Rejects Plea To Drop FEO Proceedings Against Mehul Choksi; ED Says Extradition Still Pending
PNB scam: Court dismisses Mehul Choksi’s bid to drop Fugitive Economic Offender case
