Fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi, who has been arrested in Belgium following an extradition request by Indian probe agencies for his involvement in the Rs 13,000 crore PNB loan fraud case, is accused of not clearing heavy maintenance dues in a posh Mumbai society.
As per a member of Gokul Apartments in Mumbai's posh Malabar Hills area, Choksi has not cleared maintenance dues worth Rs 63 lakh of his flats. Choksi reportedly owns three apartments in the society on the 9th, 10th and 11th floors.
"He (Choksi) has seven years of maintenance due. He has three units- 9th, 10th and 11th floors. The 11th floor is a terrace, he has illegally occupied it. There are maintenance dues of around Rs 63 lakh without interest. In 2020, our condominium had renovation work done; the cost per unit came to Rs 30-35 lakh, so if you add the cost of three units, it will be around Rs 95 lakh," the member was quoted as saying by the news agency ANI.
The society member said the flats, which have not undergone maintenance for a long time, pose a safety threat. "Big trees have started growing in the flat, and the roots will definitely damage the structural integrity of the building. This is an additional burden that we have to bear without any fault of ours. We have faith in the legal system of India and ED officials, and we hope we will get the dues," he added.
Mehul Choksi Arrested In Belgium
The 65-year-old was arrested on Saturday (April 12). He is being detained in anticipation of further judicial proceedings.
Choksi was located in Belgium last year after he reached there on the grounds of getting medical treatment in 2023. He had been staying in Antigua after leaving India in 2018 and had taken citizenship of the Caribbean country even as his Indian citizenship is stated to be valid.