Archive · 23 Aug 2026
ED Makes Fifth Attempt to Declare Mehul Choksi Fugitive
Mehul Choksi is accused of involvement in a large fraud involving Punjab National Bank.
The Enforcement Directorate wants a court to officially label him a fugitive economic offender.
This could help the agency seize his property in India and other countries.
The agency first filed this request in 2018.
It has now presented its arguments for the fifth time.
Earlier hearings had to restart after the judges were transferred.
Choksi is currently in prison in Belgium.
The court will hear arguments from his lawyer before making a decision.
The Enforcement Directorate renewed its request to declare Mehul Choksi a fugitive economic offender in the Punjab National Bank fraud case.
Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh argued the application before a special court in Mumbai on August 22, 2026.
The ED said the designation would help it confiscate Choksi’s assets in India and abroad.
The hearing has been restarted five times since 2018 because judges were transferred before ruling on the application.
Choksi remains in prison in Belgium after leaving India on January 2, 2018; his lawyer will make submissions before the court.
- Who
- The Enforcement Directorate is seeking action against businessman Mehul Choksi, who is represented by a lawyer.
- What
- The ED is asking a special court to declare Choksi a fugitive economic offender in the Punjab National Bank fraud case.
- When
- The latest arguments were made on August 22, 2026; the original application was filed in July 2018.
- Where
- The arguments were heard by a special court in Mumbai, while Choksi is imprisoned in Belgium.
- Why
- The ED says the designation would enable it to confiscate Choksi’s assets in India and abroad.
- Applicant
- Enforcement Directorate
- Accused businessman
- Mehul Choksi
- Case
- Punjab National Bank fraud case
- Original application
- Filed in July 2018
- Latest hearing
- August 22, 2026, before a special court in Mumbai
- Requested action
- Declaration as a fugitive economic offender
- Potential consequence
- Confiscation of assets in India and foreign countries