A Belgian court on Friday ordered the extradition of fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi to India, declaring his arrest by Belgian authorities on India’s request valid, according to a Hindustan Times report.
The Antwerp court heard the Belgian prosecutors (on behalf of India) and Choksi and ruled that his arrest and India’s extradition request were valid, HT reported.
Mehul Choksi – the owner of the Gitanjali Group jewelery chain is wanted ₹13,000 crore Punjab National Bank fraud case – which he allegedly orchestrated with his nephew Nirav Modi. The 65-year-old man was arrested by Antwerp police on April 11 following an extradition request sent by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Read also | India provides humane prison stay for Mehul Choksi if he is extradited
“The warrant has come out in our favour. The court has declared his arrest by the Belgian authorities at the request of India as valid. The first legal step for his extradition is now clear,” a senior official was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
How long has Mehul Choksi been in Belgium?
Mehul Choksi was on the run from Indian authorities after he allegedly committed ₹13,000 crore PNB scam with Nirav Modi. He has been in Belgium since 2023.
In January 2024, the CBI received information about Choksi’s presence in Belgium, after which it sent an extradition request to the European nation. India has an extradition treaty with Belgium as of 2020.
What is PNB fraud case?
The fraud came to light in February 2018. Choksi allegedly conspired with Punjab National Bank officials and associates to fraudulently obtain letters of undertaking and foreign letters of credit without following the bank’s prescribed procedures, which were later used to obtain credit from overseas banks.
All this led to a loss ₹6,097.63 crore of PNB. It was said to be part of a wider one ₹13,850 crore fraud involving Choksi and his nephew Nirav Modi, representing one of India’s biggest banking frauds to date.
Read also | Nirav Modi’s release delayed again? A British court accepts a request to “reopen” the case
Nirav Modi was arrested in London in 2019.
What are the charges against Choksi?
Mehul Choksi faces cases under sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) that deal with criminal conspiracy, cheating and falsification of accounts, along with provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, which constitute crimes in Belgium as well, news agencies reported earlier.
During the extradition proceedings, it was also stated that Choksi continues to be an Indian citizen and his claim to be an Antiguan citizen is disputed.
What’s next for Mehul Choksi?
After his extradition to India, Mehul Choksi is likely to be held in Barrack No. 12 of the Arthur Road Jail in Mumbai.
According to HT, the Indian government has assured Belgium that if Choksi is extradited to India, he will be held in Barracks No. 12 of the Arthur Road Jail in Mumbai, which complies with Europe’s CPT (Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment).
