{{Short description|Fugitive businessman}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2018}} {{Use Indian English|date=July 2018}} {{Infobox person | name = Mehul Choksi | birth_name = Mehul Chinubhai Choksi | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1959|05|05|df=yes}} | birth_place = Bombay, India | citizenship = Antigua and Barbuda (2017–) | education = G. D. Modi College | occupation = Businessman | known_for = Alleged bank fraud, wanted by Indian Judicial Authorities, Owner of Gitanjali Group | criminal_charges = {{ubl|Criminal conspiracy|Criminal breach of trust|Cheating and dishonesty including delivery of property|Corruption|Money laundering}} | criminal_status = Found and arrested in Dominica in May 2021 <br> Arrested by Belgian authorities in April 2025 | children = 3 | relatives = Nirav Modi (nephew) }}
'''Mehul Chinubhai Choksi''' (born 5 May 1959) is an Indian-born fugitive<ref>{{Cite news |date=2021-06-23 |title=ED transfers assets of Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi worth ₹8,441.50 cr. to banks |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ed-transfers-assets-of-vijay-mallya-nirav-modi-mehul-choksi-worth-844150-cr-to-banks/article34922424.ece |access-date=2024-11-14 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> and businessman with citizenship in Antigua and Barbuda,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-09-19 |title=Mehul Choksi devised plan to run out of India long back: ED |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/mehul-choksi-devised-plan-to-run-out-of-india-long-back-ed-9577493/ |access-date=2024-11-14 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> who is wanted by the Indian judicial authorities for alleged criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, cheating and dishonesty including delivery of property, corruption and money laundering.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-09-11 |title=Major highlights of world exclusive interview of Mehul Choksi from Antigua |url=https://www.abplive.in/videos/major-highlights-of-world-exclusive-interview-of-mehul-choksi-from-antigua-754043 |access-date=2024-11-14 |website=news.abplive.com |language=en}}</ref>
Mehul Choksi along with his nephew Nirav Modi, his wife Ami Modi, and brother Neeshal Modi are named in an alleged Rs 12,636 crore fraud at Punjab National Bank.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-08-27 |title=PNB scam: India can seek extradition of fugitive Mehul Choksi without Red Corner Notice, says CBI |url=https://www.firstpost.com/business/pnb-scam-india-can-seek-extradition-of-fugitive-mehul-choksi-without-red-corner-notice-says-cbi-5053521.html |access-date=2024-11-14 |website=Firstpost |language=en-us}}</ref> In order to escape India after the scam, he secured citizenship in Antigua and Barbuda, a Caribbean Island through their Citizenship by Investment Program in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gitanjali Gems chief Mehul Choksi, Prime Securities among 26 barred from stock markets |url=https://www.moneylife.in/article/gitanjali-gems-chief-mehul-choksi-prime-securities-among-26-barred-from-stock-markets/33709.html |access-date=2024-11-14 |website=Moneylife NEWS & VIEWS |language=en}}</ref>
He was the owner of Gitanjali Group, a retail jewellery company with 4,000 stores in India.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-05-28 |title=Mehul Choksi alleges kidnapping; lawyer says he is non-Indian, can't be repatriated |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/mehul-choksi-kidnapping-dominica-antigua-and-barbuda-india-repatriation-latest-update/2260542/ |access-date=2024-11-14 |website=Financialexpress |language=en}}</ref>
An arrest warrant for Choksi has been issued in connection with the alleged Punjab National Bank fraud case.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-07-12 |title=Dominican HC grants Mehul Choksi 'medical leave' to travel to Antigua |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/pnb-scam-mehul-choksi-bail-dominica-antigua-latest-news-1827226-2021-07-12 |access-date=2024-11-14 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref> He was formerly the subject of an Interpol red notice, but this was withdrawn in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 Mar 2023 |title=Mehul Choksi taken off Interpol's Red Notice list. What does this mean? |url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/mehul-choksi-taken-off-interpol-s-red-notice-list-what-does-this-mean-11679397479718.html |access-date=2025-03-28 |website=Livemint}}</ref> He was allegedly involved in stock market manipulation in 2013.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-06-11 |title=PNB fraud case: ED to file chargesheet against Mehul Choksi's wife Priti |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/pnb-scam-ed-chargesheet-against-mehul-choksi-wife-priti-1813654-2021-06-11 |access-date=2024-11-14 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref> In late May 2021, he went missing from Antigua and Barbuda. Choksi claims that he was kidnapped from Antigua by agents of the Indian state,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-05-20 |title=Dominica withdraws case against fugitive Mehul Choksi over illegal entry |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/fugitive-mehul-choksi-case-in-dominica-illegal-entry-dropped-pnb-scam-1952097-2022-05-20 |access-date=2024-11-14 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref> while several reports and investigation revealed that he fled the country to escape legal proceedings in India.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-05-26 |title=Fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi arrested in Dominica |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/fugitive-businessman-mehul-choksi-arrested-in-dominica-1807361-2021-05-26 |access-date=2024-11-14 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref> After being found and arrested in Dominica on charges of illegal entry he was then returned to Antigua and Barbuda on interim bail for medical treatment. Investigations into his disappearance are ongoing.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-06-19 |title=PNB fraud case: New warrant issued against Mehul Choksi |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/pnb-fraud-case-new-warrant-issued-against-mehul-choksi-7366729/ |access-date=2024-11-14 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>
According to NDTV,<ref name="ndtv.com">{{Cite web |title=Mehul Choksi Bribed Antigua Cop, Judge To Delay His Extradition: Report |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/mehul-choksis-bribery-of-antigua-officials-exposed-3688215 |access-date=2024-11-14 |website=NDTV.com}}</ref> Mehul Choksi tried hard to spread his kidnapping narrative and evade extradition to India. In this attempt, he also allegedly brought a string of officials in Antigua to extend the court proceedings in his disappearance case in the country.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Indulia |first=Bhumika |date=2019-12-09 |title=PNB Scam {{!}} Nirav Modi declared Fugitive Economic Offender by a Special PMLA Court |url=https://www.scconline.com/blog/post/2019/12/09/pnb-scam-nirav-modi-declared-fugitive-economic-offender-by-a-special-pmla-court/ |access-date=2024-11-14 |website=SCC Times |language=en-US}}</ref>
Again according to NDTV,<ref name="ndtv.com"/> evidence has also been uncovered that Choski worked with others to influence Interpol and interfere into its proceedings to delay his extradition to India.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Deshpande |first=Alok |date=2020-10-20 |title=PNB hasn't recovered any money from Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi: RTI reply |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/pnb-hasnt-recovered-any-money-from-nirav-modi-mehul-choksi-rti-reply/article32904133.ece |access-date=2024-11-14 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> Belgian authorities confirmed on April 14, 2025 that they have Mehul Choksi in custody after he was arrested near his current residence in Antwerp.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pandey |first=Suhasini Haidar & Devesh K. |date=2025-04-14 |title=Mehul Choksi arrest: Belgium authorities confirm India's extradition request |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/mehul-choksi-arrest-belgium-authorities-confirm-india-extradition-request/article69449906.ece |access-date=2025-04-16 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
==Early life== Mehul Choksi was born on 5 May 1959 in Bombay,<ref name="livemint.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/iYrJGKzYKzRqNsiMvFm0YO/Mehul-Choksi--Miner-of-the-new-world.html|title=Mehul Choksi - Miner of the new world - Livemint|date=16 February 2008|website=www.livemint.com|accessdate=4 March 2018}}</ref> the son of Chinubhai Choksi.<ref name="auto1">{{cite web|url=https://scroll.in/article/869392/the-rise-and-fall-of-mehul-choksis-sparkling-geetanjali-gems|title=The rise and fall of Mehul Choksi's sparkling Geetanjali Gems|first=Suneera Tandon |author=Suneera Tandon |website=scroll.in|accessdate= 4 March 2018}}</ref> He was educated at G. D. Modi College in Palanpur, Gujarat.<ref name="auto1"/> He has three children, a son and two daughters.<ref name="livemint.com"/> Choksi is the maternal uncle of fugitive businessman Nirav Modi.<ref name="bbc.co.uk">{{cite news |date=16 February 2018 |title=Who is billionaire jeweller in fraud probe? |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-43081499 |accessdate=4 March 2018 |work=BBC News}}</ref><ref name="zeebiz.com">{{cite web|date=16 February 2018|title=Who is Mehul Choksi?|url=http://www.zeebiz.com/india/news-who-is-mehul-choksi-37353|website=zeebiz.com|accessdate=4 March 2018}}</ref>
His younger brother Chetan Chinubhai Choksi owned and operated a diamond company named Diminco NV, based in Antwerp, which had defaulted on a US$25.8 million payment to a subsidiary of ICICI Bank.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/surat/mehuls-brother-a-bank-defaulter-too/articleshow/63050019.cms|title=Mehul Choksi's brother a bank defaulter too - Times of India|website=indiatimes.com|accessdate=4 March 2018}}</ref> In 2013, the bank litigated a lawsuit against Diminco NV, in commercial courts in Belgium and UK.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://theinjunctionsblog.com/worldwide-freezing-and-disclosure-relief-denied-in-aid-of-a-belgian-claim-in-an-application-under-section-25-civil-jurisdiction-and-judgments-act-1982/|title=Worldwide freezing and disclosure relief denied in aid of a Belgian claim, in an application under section 25 Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982|date=28 August 2014|work=The Injunctions Blog|accessdate=8 March 2018}}</ref>
==Career== Choksi started his career in the gem and jewellery sector in 1975, and took over the leadership of Gitanjali Gems from his father in 1985, when it was focused on just rough and polished diamonds.<ref name="auto1"/> He owns Gitanjali Group, which includes Gitanjali Gems.<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=http://www.livemint.com/Companies/HFtgc5b17E0BVrwVVJL26I/Mehul-Choksi-claims-innocence-in-PNB-fraud-with-open-letter.html|title=Mehul Choksi claims innocence in PNB fraud with open letter|first=Swati|last=Bhat|date=25 February 2018|website=livemint.com|accessdate=4 March 2018}}</ref>
==Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case== In March 2018, a special PMLA court issued non-bailable arrest warrants (NBWs) against Choksi, and his nephews Nirav Modi and Neeshal Deepak Modi, owner of Firestar Diamonds.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/pnb-fraud-case-court-issues-non-bailable-warrants-against-mehul-choksi-nirav-modi/articleshow/63146634.cms|title=PNB fraud case: Court issues non-bailable warrants against Mehul Choksi, Nirav Modi|first=Ram|last=Sahgal|date=3 March 2018|access-date=4 March 2018|newspaper=The Economic Times}}</ref> They are suspected of colluding with two employees of Punjab National Bank (PNB), the country's second-largest state-owned lender, in an alleged $1.8 billion fraud.<ref name="auto"/> At least six PNB staff and at least six employees of Choksi and Modi have been arrested so far.<ref name="auto"/> Choksi is a fugitive of Indian government. Choksi has protested his innocence in an open letter.<ref name="auto"/> On 6 March 2018, the CBI detained Vipul Chitalia, the Vice-President of Gitanjali Group of Companies and a key aide of Choksi. Chitalia was arrested at Mumbai airport and remained in custody till March 2018.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/money-and-banking/pnb-fraud-gitanjali-groups-vice-president-vipul-chitalia-detained-by-cbi/article22940410.ece|title=PNB fraud: Gitanjali Group's vice-president Vipul Chitalia detained by CBI|work=@businessline|accessdate=7 March 2018}}</ref> A designated PMLA authority held that 41 properties worth about Rs 1,210 crore, attached by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the name of Mehul Choksi and his associated firms, are money laundering assets and ordered that their attachment should continue. The central probe agency provisionally attached 15 flats and 17 office premises in Mumbai, a mall in Kolkata, a four-acre farm house in Alibaug and 231 acres of land at locations like Nashik, Nagpur, Panvel in Maharashtra and Villupuram in Tamil Nadu, in February 2018 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in connection with the about US$2 billion alleged fraud at a Mumbai-based branch of the Punjab National Bank (PNB).<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://in.news.yahoo.com/mehul-choksi-apos-properties-money-112006086.html|title=Mehul Choksi's Properties Are Money Laundering Assets: PMLA Authority|accessdate=2 September 2018}}</ref>
On 7 January 2018, Choksi left India to the Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda. A few days later, the PNB scam was disclosed. On 15 January, he took the oath of citizenship of Antigua and Barbuda, where he applied for the citizenship in November 2017 under the country's Citizenship by Investment program.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=27 May 2021 |title=Fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi held in Dominica: Local media |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/fugitive-businessman-mehul-choksi-captured-in-dominica-local-media-7331736/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210527083903/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/fugitive-businessman-mehul-choksi-captured-in-dominica-local-media-7331736/ |archive-date=27 May 2021 |access-date=27 May 2021 |work=The Indian Express}}</ref> However, Indian authorities argue that he has not renounced his Indian citizenship.<ref name="Times of India">{{Cite news|date=8 June 2021|title=We moved to rescind Mehul Choksi's citizenship for 'false de declaration': Antigua minister|work=The Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/we-moved-to-rescind-mehul-choksis-citizenship-for-false-declaration-antigua-minister/articleshow/83348747.cms|access-date=11 June 2021}}</ref><ref name="NDTV">{{Cite news|last=Sharma|first=Neeta|date=2 June 2021|title=Mehul Choksi Has Not Renounced Citizenship, India To Argue In Dominica|work=NDTV|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/mehul-choksi-has-not-renounced-citizenship-india-to-argue-in-dominica-2454197|access-date=11 June 2021}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite news |date=30 May 2021 |title=Hand over Mehul Choksi, he is our citizen: India tells Dominica |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/hand-over-mehul-choksi-he-is-our-citizen-india-tells-dominica-121053000162_1.html |access-date=11 June 2021 |work=Business Standard}}</ref> On 17 June, his lawyer informed the Bombay High Court that he left India for medical check-up and not to avoid prosecution in the case.<ref>{{Cite news|date=17 June 2019|title=Left India for Medical Treatment: Mehul Choksi Tells Bombay HC|work=Yahoo News|url=https://in.news.yahoo.com/left-india-medical-treatment-mehul-160754018.html|url-status=live|access-date=27 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190619005204/https://in.news.yahoo.com/left-india-medical-treatment-mehul-160754018.html|archive-date=19 June 2019}}</ref> Ever since, CBI has been trying to extradite him back to India.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|date=26 May 2021|title=Fugitive Jeweller Mehul Choksi's Dramatic Capture After Escape By Boat|work=NDTV|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/fugitive-businessman-mehul-choksi-captured-in-dominica-while-trying-to-flee-to-cuba-sources-2449916|url-status=live|access-date=27 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210527075759/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/fugitive-businessman-mehul-choksi-captured-in-dominica-while-trying-to-flee-to-cuba-sources-2449916|archive-date=27 May 2021}}</ref> In December 2018, Interpol published a Red Notice against Choksi at India's request.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2023-03-20 |title=Interpol removes Red Notice against Mehul Choksi |url=https://antiguanewsroom.com/interpol-removes-red-notice-against-mehul-choksi/ |access-date=2024-01-11 |website=Antigua News Room |language=en-US}}</ref>
In May 2021, Choksi was detained in Dominica, with his lawyers alleging that he had been kidnapped from Antigua and forcibly taken there by individuals acting on behalf of Indian agents. He subsequently lodged a lawsuit in London’s High Court, accusing the Indian government of organizing the abduction and coercing a false confession, claims that India has denied.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Desk |first=India Today World |date=2025-06-17 |title=Mehul Choksi alleges India orchestrated 2021 kidnap plot in Antigua |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/mehul-choksi-alleges-india-orchestrated-2021-kidnap-plot-in-antigua-glbs-2741771-2025-06-17 |access-date=2025-08-31 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref> In 2023 the Red notice issued in 2018 was withdrawn.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-08-31 |title=Belgian court rejects Choksi bail petition |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/belgian-court-rejects-choksi-bail-petition/articleshow/123608183.cms?utm_ |access-date=2025-08-31 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref name="Delhi">{{Cite web |last=Delhi |first=Amrit Dhillon |date=2025-04-14 |title=Diamond tycoon arrested over $1.8bn fraud after years on the run |url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/asia/article/diamond-tycoon-arrested-over-18bn-fraud-after-years-on-the-run-rdhkpj5hq |access-date=2025-08-31 |website=www.thetimes.com |language=en}}</ref>
In April 2025, Choksi was arrested in Antwerp by Belgian police after India requested his extradition. His lawyers argued that he should not be kept in custody because of serious health problems, including cancer. Soon after, India’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) sent a team to Belgium to help prosecutors by providing documents and working with a European law firm.<ref name="Delhi"/> Choksi asked for bail twice, but both requests were denied—the first by the Court of Cassation in the summer and the second on August 22 by the court of appeal, which refused his offer of house arrest, saying he was a flight risk with a record of avoiding justice. His extradition hearing is set for mid-September 2025, a key moment in the case.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-14 |title=A fugitive Indian jeweler accused of a $1.8bn bank fraud has been arrested in Belgium |url=https://apnews.com/article/india-mehul-choksi-belgium-diamonds-fraud-charges-2c392594a6daadbfbe0915909fbe01e1 |access-date=2025-08-31 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref>
==See also== * List of fugitives from justice who disappeared * Punjab National Bank Scam
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Choksi, Mehul}} Category:Living people Category:Businesspeople from Mumbai Category:1959 births Category:Gujarati people Category:Fugitives wanted by India Category:Indian fraudsters Category:Gitanjali Group