Belgian Court Rules ‘No Obstacle’ in Mehul Choksi Extradition to India.
A Belgian court in Antwerp has cleared the way for the extradition of fugitive diamond trader and Punjab National Bank scam accused Mehul Choksi to India, ruling that there is “no obstacle” under Belgian law. The decision marks a significant step forward in New Delhi’s efforts to bring back the absconding jeweller in connection with the Rs 13,500-crore PNB fraud case.
The court upheld the legality of Choksi’s arrest by Belgian authorities in April and confirmed that he is a foreign national, not a Belgian citizen. It found that the charges against him — including fraud, forgery, corruption, and use of forged documents — are serious offences under Belgian law, corresponding to multiple sections of India’s Penal Code and the Prevention of Corruption Act.
However, the court noted that one charge — destruction of evidence (IPC Section 201) — is not recognised as a crime in Belgium, and extradition on this count will not be granted. The alleged offences reportedly occurred between December 31, 2016, and January 1, 2019, and the statute of limitations had not expired in either country.
Choksi had argued that he was abducted from Antigua and faced the threat of political persecution and inhumane treatment in India. The court found no concrete evidence supporting these claims. It also dismissed his concerns regarding India’s judicial independence and media coverage, stating that public interest in a high-profile financial fraud case does not infringe on the right to a fair trial.
The court noted that India has assured proper detention conditions for Choksi at Mumbai’s Arthur Road Jail, including private cells and facilities, with movement restricted to medical needs or court appearances.
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