Noida (Uttar Pradesh) [India], April 15 (ANI): Former Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP) Vikram Singh on Tuesday hailed the arrest of fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi in Belgium as a testament to India's evolving global influence and the determined efforts of investigative agencies like the CBI and ED.

Speaking to ANI, Singh termed the development as a victory of India's diplomacy.

'It has been made possible due to the tireless efforts of the CBI and ED. Interpol notices were also issued, although they were later withdrawn. Now that he has been arrested from a hospital in Belgium, I express my gratitude and thanks to the Belgian police and government as well,' he said.

'This is the new India. Now, those who have looted India are not safe anywhere in the world,' the former UP DGP asserted.

He further pointed out that with Choksi now caught, India's extradition experts say that his extradition will certainly happen within a few months.

'The 13,500 crore Rs that was looted also needs to be brought back to India. The money he has looted will now likely be used to hire lawyers and fight legal battles, just as Vijay Mallya did in England. But all escape routes are now closed. He will have to come back to India for extradition. It may take some time, but in the end, he will have to return,' Vikram Singh said.

Meanwhile, the Belgian Federal Public Service of Justice on Monday confirmed that fugitive Indian businessman Mehul Choksi was arrested on April 12 and is currently being held in detention. It further said that India has also introduced a request for his extradition.

They also confirmed that Indian authorities have introduced an extradition request for Choksi.

'Finally, the Belgian federal public service of Justice can confirm that the Indian authorities have introduced an extradition request for Choksi. As is standard in individual cases, no further details can be released at this stage,' they said.

The 65-year-old fugitive diamond merchant who fled India on January 2, 2018, is wanted by the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for allegedly defrauding the Punjab National Bank (PNB) of Rs 13,850 crore. His nephew, Nirav Modi, was also involved with him in the fraud. (ANI)