A court in Antwerp, Belgium, has cleared the extradition of fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi to India, ruling that his arrest by Belgian authorities at New Delhi’s request was lawful. Officials familiar with the case said the ruling marks a major step forward for India’s ongoing efforts to bring Choksi back to face trial in the ₹13,000-crore Punjab National Bank fraud case.
A senior official confirmed the development, saying, “The order has come in our favour. The court validated his arrest in response to India’s request. The first legal hurdle in securing his return has been cleared.” Choksi, however, retains the right to challenge the ruling before a higher Belgian court.
India’s Case Strengthens in Belgium
Belgian prosecutors assisted by India’s Ministry of External Affairs and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) presented detailed arguments outlining Choksi’s alleged role in orchestrating the PNB scam along with his nephew, Nirav Modi. The prosecution stressed that Choksi continues to pose a flight risk and should not be released from custody.
After hearing both sides in mid-September, the Antwerp court concluded that Choksi’s April 11 arrest was legally sound. His multiple bail applications have already been rejected by Belgian courts.
India’s Assurances on Jail Conditions
India has assured Belgian authorities that Choksi, upon extradition, will be housed in Mumbai’s Arthur Road Jail, specifically in Barrack No. 12. The government’s submission detailed that the cell meets European human rights standards, including those outlined by the Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT).
According to communications from India’s Home Ministry dated September 4, Barrack No. 12 provides each inmate with sufficient personal space and basic amenities such as proper ventilation, a separate toilet and washroom, hygiene facilities, and security arrangements. The cell, measuring approximately 20 by 15 feet, will accommodate Choksi alongside another economic offender, ensuring there is no overcrowding.
The government also highlighted that prison inmates receive access to clean bedding, outdoor activities, board games, yoga sessions, TV channels, newspapers, and regular family and legal visits.
PNB Fraud and Legal Proceedings
Mehul Choksi and Nirav Modi are accused of masterminding one of India’s largest banking scams, defrauding PNB of over ₹13,000 crore through fraudulent Letters of Undertaking (LoUs) issued by the bank’s Brady House branch in Mumbai. The LoUs enabled Choksi’s firms to obtain unauthorized credit from multiple foreign banks without the required approvals or collateral.
Investigations revealed that 165 LoUs and 58 Foreign Letters of Credit (FLCs) were fraudulently issued, leading to 311 overseas transactions between March and April 2017. When Choksi’s companies defaulted on repayment, PNB was forced to cover losses amounting to ₹6,344.97 crore, including interest, to international lenders such as SBI (Mauritius, Frankfurt), Axis Bank (Hong Kong), and Bank of India (Antwerp).
Global Pursuit of the Fugitives
Choksi, who fled to Antigua and Barbuda after obtaining citizenship there, was detained in Belgium earlier this year after Red Notice alerts and an extradition request from India. India’s case cites the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) and the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) to justify extradition.
His co-accused, Nirav Modi, is currently lodged in a London prison while contesting extradition to India, following his 2019 arrest on charges linked to the same fraud.
The Antwerp court’s decision marks a significant milestone in India’s pursuit of accountability in one of its largest financial frauds.
[Inputs With PTI]
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