Former Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP) Vikram Singh on Tuesday appreciated the arrest of fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi in Belgium, calling it evidence of India’s growing global influence and strong efforts of the investigating agencies like CBI and ED.
Talking to ANI, Singh described the development as a victory of India’s diplomacy.
He said, “This has been possible with the untiring efforts of the CBI and ED. Interpol notices were also issued, although he was later withdrawn. Now that he was arrested from a Belgian hospital, I thank and thank the Belgium police and the government.”
Former UP DGP said, “This is a new India. Now, those who have looted India are not safe anywhere in the world.”
He further stated that now when Choksi is caught, India’s extradition experts say that his extradition will definitely be within a few months.
Vikram Singh said, “There is also a need to bring back Rs 13,500 crore looted to India. The money he has looted will now be used to keep a lawyer and fight a legal battle, just as Vijay Mallya did in England. But now all the routes to escape are closed. He will have to come back to India for extradition. It may take some time, but finally he will have to return.”
Meanwhile, Belgium’s federal public service confirmed on Monday that fugitive Indian businessman Mehul Choksi was arrested on 12 April and has just been detained. It further said that India has also presented a request for its extradition.
He also confirmed that Indian authorities have presented a request for extradition of Choksi.
“Finally, Belgium’s Federal Public Justice Service may confirm that Indian authorities have submitted extradition request to Choksi,” he said, as standard in personal matters, no more details can be released at this stage. “
The 65 -year -old fugitive diamond trader fled from India on 2 January 2018. He is wanted by the CBI and Enforcement Directorate (ED) on charges of fraud of Rs 13,850 crore from Punjab National Bank (PNB). His nephew Nirav Modi was also involved in this fraud.
