Mehul Choksi Claims Blood Cancer to Evade Extradition - Truth or Tactic?

Mumbai - Mumbai’s special court has once again found itself at the center of controversy as fugitive diamond merchant Mehul Choksi claims he is suffering from chronic lymphocytic leukemia—a form of blood cancer—making his return to India impossible. The PNB fraud accused, currently in Belgium for medical treatment, argues that his deteriorating health prevents him from facing legal proceedings in India.  

Choksi, a key figure in the ₹13,400 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam, has been on the run since 2018. Initially seeking refuge in Antigua and Barbuda, he now asserts that his medical condition warrants continued overseas treatment. His legal team insists that extradition at this stage could be life-threatening. However, critics argue that this could be yet another delay tactic, designed to prolong his evasion of justice.  

Meanwhile, India’s Enforcement Directorate (ED) remains determined to bring him back, filing for him to be declared a fugitive economic offender. The agency believes that Choksi's medical plea is a smokescreen to avoid accountability, just as his nephew Nirav Modi continues to fight extradition from the UK.  

The big question remains: Is Choksi genuinely unfit to return, or is this another well-planned legal maneuver? With billions at stake and justice hanging in the balance, India must decide whether to wait or push harder for his repatriation. For now, the saga continues, leaving the nation questioning whether justice will ever be served.