The verdict is a significant win for India’s extradition efforts. The court described the arrest as lawful after hearing arguments from Belgian prosecutors and Choksi’s defence during mid-September hearings
A court in Belgium on Friday cleared the extradition of Mehul Choksi. File Pic
A court in Belgium's Antwerp on Friday cleared the extradition of fugitive jeweller Mehul Choksi, ruling that his arrest by Belgian authorities on India’s request was valid, officials said, reported the PTI.
Choksi has the option to appeal this decision in a higher Belgian court.
The verdict is a significant win for India’s extradition efforts. The court described the arrest as lawful after hearing arguments from Belgian prosecutors and Choksi’s defence during mid-September hearings.
Choksi (66) was detained in Belgium on April 11 following an extradition request from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). His previous bail petitions in Belgium were denied, according to officials.
Belgian prosecutors, assisted by Indian officials from the Ministry of External Affairs and the CBI, argued that Choksi was a flight risk and should remain in custody.
In the case, Choksi is accused of masterminding a Rs 13,000 crore fraud at Punjab National Bank (PNB), in collusion with his nephew, Nirav Modi, using promotional schemes involving Letters of Undertaking (LoUs).
To assuage Belgian concerns over prison conditions, India has provided assurances that, if extradited, Choksi would be housed in Barrack No. 12 at Arthur Road Jail in Mumbai. The government has detailed that the cell will meet European standards with proper ventilation, sanitary facilities, daily cleaning, and amenities such as books, newspapers, and limited recreational access.
Choksi originally fled to Antigua and Barbuda, where he obtained citizenship. Following his arrest in Belgium, Indian agencies including the CBI, Home Ministry, and External Affairs Ministry engaged in efforts to expedite his return to India to face charges.
Key details shared in India’s extradition request include extradition invoked under United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organised Crime (UNTOC) and United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), open-ended arrest warrants from special courts in Mumbai (2018 and 2021) were part of the documentation, the alleged fraud involved 165 LoUs and 58 FLCs issued without proper cash margins or record entries and overseas banks financed transactions based on these fraudulent guarantees, resulting in PNB disbursing Rs 6,344.97 crore (USD 965.18 million) including interest to cover defaults.
The court’s decision now paves the way for Choksi’s extradition to India unless an appeal is accepted.
(with PTI inputs)
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