Mehul Choksi, a prominent diamond dealer pursued by Indian authorities for his alleged involvement in a $1.8 billion fraud case linked to the Punjab National Bank, has been apprehended in Antwerp, Belgium. According to his lawyer, the arrest occurred over the weekend as Belgian police acted on a request from India's Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which seeks Choksi’s extradition.

The scandal erupted in 2018 when it was revealed that Choksi had left India just prior to the public disclosure of allegations against him. Since then, he has reportedly resided in various locations, including the Caribbean islands of Dominica and Antigua. His arrest marks a significant development in a case that has captured national attention and highlighted concerns about corruption within taxpayer-funded banking institutions.

Choksi's legal representative, Vijay Aggarwal, announced plans to pursue his client's immediate release, contending that Choksi's health is deteriorating due to a cancer treatment regimen. Aggarwal emphasized that Choksi poses no flight risk, disputing the allegations of wrongdoing.

The financial discrepancies surrounding Choksi have drawn parallels to the case of his nephew, Nirav Modi, a once-celebrated jeweler who faces his own extradition battles from London. Both men have denied any misconduct, though their plight has intensified public debate in India about the ethical responsibilities of banks in financing affluent individuals.

Choksi's arrest serves as a noteworthy moment in ongoing discussions about financial accountability and the legal systems tasked with addressing corruption in India, as citizens continue to monitor the developments with great interest.