​On April 22, 2025, a Belgian court rejected the bail plea of Mehul Choksi, a key accused in the ₹13,500 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case. The court cited a legitimate risk of Choksi fleeing Belgium, referencing his past actions of fleeing India and acquiring Antiguan citizenship. The court dismissed his health concerns and the offer to wear a GPS tracker, stating that these measures were insufficient to mitigate the flight risk.

Choksi was arrested in Antwerp on April 12 following an extradition request from Indian authorities. His legal team, led by Indian lawyer Vijay Aggarwal, plans to file a fresh bail application, emphasizing his medical condition and arguing that the case against him is politically motivated.

The Indian government is actively pursuing Choksi’s extradition, with the Ministry of External Affairs confirming close cooperation with Belgian authorities to bring him back to India to face trial. ​

Sources