In a setback to absconding diamond trader Mehul Choksi, a prime accused in the Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case, a special court in Mumbai on Friday (November 28, 2025) rejected his application seeking to drop the proceedings declaring him a fugitive economic offender (FEO).
Following his arrest in Belgium in April this year, Mr. Choksi had moved the plea before the special court hearing cases under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) to dismiss the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) application to declare him an FEO.
Fugitive Mehul Choksi challenges extradition in Belgium Supreme Court
Mr. Choksi had pleaded that since he was currently in custody for cases pending in India, for which an extradition request was made by the Indian authorities in Belgium, the application filed by the ED to declare him an FEO deserved to be dismissed.
The ED had opposed his plea saying the 66-year-old did not want to return to India as he was fighting extradition proceedings initiated against him in Belgium.
