PNB Fraud Case: ED Makes Fifth Attempt To Declare Mehul Choksi Fugitive Economic Offender
The Enforcement Directorate has for the fifth time argued its 2018 plea to declare businessman Mehul Choksi a fugitive economic offender in the PNB fraud case. The agency says FEO status would enable confiscation of his assets in India and abroad. The Mumbai special court adjourned the hearing for Choksi’s lawyer to respond.
The ED has renewed its plea seeking fugitive economic offender status for businessman Mehul Choksi in the PNB fraud case | AI Generated File Image
Mumbai, August 22, 2026: The Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh on Friday argued for the fifth time since 2018 on the application filed by Enforcement Directorate to declare businessman Mehul Choksi as a fugitive economic offender (FEO), filed eight years ago.
The Enforcement Directorate had in July 2018 moved a plea to declare Choksi and his nephew Nirav Modi fugitive economic offenders. While Modi has been declared as a fugitive, and the process to confiscate his properties is already in place, ED's plea against Choksi is yet to be decided.
ED Seeks FEO Declaration
Singh, along with ED prosecutor Kavita Patil, on Friday argued before the special court to pass an order declaring Choksi a fugitive economic offender, as he still remains out of reach.
It was contended that declaring Choksi as a fugitive economic offender will help the agency confiscate Choksi's assets not only in India but also in foreign land. The court has now adjourned the hearing for Choksi's lawyer to make submissions.
This was for the fifth time ED had initiated the arguments in the last eight years on the plea, but before the court could pass an order, the judges were transferred. Hence, the ED counsel had to make fresh submissions.
Choksi In Belgium Prison
Choksi, the absconding diamond trader in the Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case, is presently lodged in prison in Belgium. Choksi was arrested in Belgium on April 12, last year, following an extradition request by Indian probe agencies for his alleged involvement in the Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam by obtaining a letter of undertaking through forged documents.
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Choksi had left India on January 2, 2018, claiming he was seeking better medical treatment and never returned. Meanwhile, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered a case against Choksi and Modi in February 2018. Based on the case registered by CBI, ED too initiated the probe for money laundering.
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