Choksi claims Hungarian national Barbara Jabarika honey-trapped him as part of a plot that led to his alleged abduction from Antigua to Dominica, but she denies all charges.
April 15, 2025: Fugitive diamond merchant Mehul Choksi, recently arrested in Belgium, has once again brought into focus a mysterious figure central to his long and controversial saga — Barbara Jabarika, a Hungarian woman he accuses of being part of a honey-trap plot that led to his alleged abduction in 2021.
Choksi, wanted in India for his role in the ₹13,500 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam, was reportedly preparing to flee to Switzerland under the guise of seeking medical treatment when Indian and Belgian authorities nabbed him. However, years earlier, in May 2021, he had surfaced in Dominica after claiming he was abducted and tortured in Antigua, and transported across borders on a boat.
Who is Barbara Jabarika?
Barbara, described in her LinkedIn profile as a “Property Investment Agent” from Bulgaria, claimed to have a decade-long career in real estate and direct sales. Her profile showcases skills in sales negotiations, leadership, and team coordination.
According to Choksi and his wife Priti Choksi, Barbara befriended the diamond trader in 2020 and was allegedly part of a plot to lure him under false pretenses. He claimed she invited him over for dinner — only for him to be abducted and taken forcibly to Dominica.
Also Read: Mehul Choksi Arrested in Belgium: India Closer to Justice in ₹13,850 Crore PNB Scam
But Barbara has categorically denied these allegations. She stated that Choksi introduced himself as “Raj” and was the one who approached her. In an earlier interview cited by NDTV, she said, “I have my own business and income. I never needed his money, fake jewellery or anything else.”
She also denied being romantically involved with Choksi and dismissed claims of being part of a honey-trap operation.
What Does This Mean for Choksi’s Extradition?
Despite his arrest in Belgium, legal experts say extraditing Mehul Choksi to India may not be immediate. Former diplomat K.P. Fabian explained that while India can file an extradition request, the final decision lies with Belgium’s judiciary. Choksi is also within his rights to challenge the extradition in court, which could delay proceedings considerably.
Choksi fled India in 2018, acquired Antiguan citizenship, and lived there until his sudden appearance in Dominica triggered global headlines. The Barbara Jabarika episode remains one of the most bizarre and controversial chapters in the saga of India’s most high-profile economic offenders.
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