An inside view of the Arthur Road Jail in Mumbai, where Mehul Choksi would be held if extradited. | Photo credit: ANI
Detailed architectural drawings and pictures of the interior of Mumbai’s high-security Arthur Road prison, where fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi would be held if extradited, have been submitted to a Belgian court as part of an Indian affidavit to ensure humane detention conditions.
The images, which are part of a set of six technical sheets entitled “Prison Conditions of Barrack 12, Arthur Road Prison, Mumbai”, were prepared by the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) and deposited by the Indian authorities to demonstrate the adequacy and safety of prison facilities.
Barrack No. 12, designated as a unit for Choksi, measures approximately 46.5 square meters (around 500 square feet), according to the drawings, and includes a main room, passage, washroom and toilet.
The building is equipped with ventilation windows with mosquito nets, security doors with grills, CCTV surveillance, ceiling fans and tube lights. It also includes a sink and shower with running water, as well as PVC flooring and tiling for increased hygiene.
Hall inside Arthur Road Jail, Mumbai. | Photo credit: ANI
A mobile jammer is installed at beam level and a CCTV camera is placed near the fan to ensure constant monitoring. The affidavit highlights that the unit has been freshly renovated and meets international standards for assurance.
The filing is part of the Indian government’s official affidavit before a Belgian court, where Mehul Choksi opposed his extradition citing alleged threats to his life and concerns about prison conditions in India.
A view of a toilet inside Arthur Road Jail, Mumbai. | Photo credit: ANI
Officials reportedly attached these architectural visuals to show that Choksi will be housed in a well-ventilated, secure and monitored cell, rather than in overcrowded general wards.
The drawings dated 5 June 2025 are signed by Shailja Sakharkar (Architect) and D. Roychowdhury (Chief Engineer, CPWD, Mumbai-I). They include detailed 3D renderings of the room and toilet, scale plans and sectional diagrams, reflecting modern design and maintenance.
Each sheet bears the seal of CPWD and was produced under the supervision of the Chief Engineer’s office at Pratishtha Bhavan, MK Road, Mumbai.
An appeals court in Antwerp has found that the offenses attributed to fugitive diamond merchant Mehul Choksi are extraditable under both Indian and Belgian law, paving the way for his return to India to face trial in the Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case.
In its detailed judgment, the court observed that the offenses would be punishable under Indian law under Sections 120-B read with 201, 409, 420 and 477-A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Sections 7 and 13, paragraph 2, as amended by 13, paragraph 1
(c) and (d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act 1988, each carrying a sentence of more than one year.
Mehul Choksi, accused in the multi-million Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud, is facing extradition proceedings from Antigua and Belgium. Indian authorities have repeatedly assured foreign courts that detention standards meet human rights standards, pointing to improved prison infrastructure such as the Arthur Road Jail.
Published – 22 Oct 2025 19:22 IST
