Mon Apr 14 13:00:00 UTC 2025: ## Fugitive Diamond Trader Mehul Choksi Arrested in Belgium, Extradition Battle Looms

**Brussels, Belgium** – Mehul Choksi, the fugitive diamond trader wanted in India for his alleged role in the ₹13,500 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud, was arrested in Belgium over the weekend. The arrest, a joint operation between Indian and Belgian authorities, thwarted Choksi’s reported attempt to flee to Switzerland under the guise of seeking medical treatment.

Choksi’s arrest marks a significant development in a seven-year manhunt that spanned multiple countries. He initially fled India in 2018, eventually obtaining citizenship in Antigua and Barbuda. His subsequent apprehension in Dominica in May 2021, following an alleged illegal entry, brought to light a controversial claim of abduction.

Choksi alleges he was kidnapped from Antigua and taken to Dominica as part of a “honey-trap” orchestrated by a Hungarian woman, Barbara Jabarika. Jabarika, who describes herself as a property investment agent, denies Choksi’s accusations and claims he misrepresented himself to her. She refutes allegations of a romantic relationship and any involvement in his abduction. Choksi’s wife, Priti, maintains Jabarika was complicit in the alleged plot.

While the arrest is a victory for Indian authorities, extradition is expected to be a lengthy and complex process. Former diplomat K.P. Fabian notes that while India can request extradition, the final decision rests with the Belgian government, and Choksi is entitled to challenge the process in Belgian courts. The process could take years, mirroring the extended timeline of other high-profile extradition cases.

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