Hariprasad SV, the whistle-blower who exposed the Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam, has welcomed the arrest of fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi by Belgian authorities, calling it a major step toward justice. Acting on a request by India’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Choksi was arrested in Belgium on Saturday after authorities confirmed his presence in the country.
Speaking to ANI, Hariprasad called the arrest “great news” not just for India but also for those who were defrauded by Choksi. “The government must bring him back to India as soon as possible, and justice must be delivered,” he said.
He further stressed the importance of recovering the billions of dollars allegedly siphoned off by Choksi. “Apart from bringing him back, the most important thing is to get back all those billions of dollars he looted from India and stashed anywhere in the world. Hopefully, the Government of India will succeed this time,” he added.
Hariprasad had first flagged the scam in 2016, writing to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) after identifying discrepancies in financial documents. His alert helped uncover one of India’s largest banking frauds.
Meanwhile, Choksi is preparing for a legal fight in Belgium, with his lawyers expected to oppose extradition on health and legal grounds. The 65-year-old fugitive, accused of defrauding PNB of Rs 13,850 crore, fled India in January 2018 and later acquired Antiguan citizenship. He has since moved between countries, including a controversial arrest in Dominica in 2021 before finally settling in Belgium.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has attached assets worth over Rs 2,500 crore linked to Choksi and his Gitanjali Group. Efforts are underway to extradite him to India to face trial in the high-profile scam.
