Key Takeaways
- Belgian court approves Mehul Choksi’s extradition to India in ₹13,500 crore PNB fraud case
- Ruling marks crucial milestone but Choksi can appeal to higher court
- Court satisfied dual criminality requirement for extradition
A Belgian court in Antwerp has approved the extradition of fugitive diamond businessman Mehul Choksi to India, marking a significant development in the ₹13,500 crore Punjab National Bank fraud case. The court upheld the legality of his April arrest by Belgian authorities, bringing Indian authorities closer to securing his return.
Legal Proceedings and Current Status
The Antwerp court ruling, however, is not final as Choksi has been granted the right to challenge the decision in a higher court, delaying any immediate transfer to India. Officials familiar with the matter described the verdict as “a crucial milestone” in the long-drawn extradition proceedings.
Choksi was taken into custody by Antwerp police on April 11 following India’s formal extradition request. Since his arrest, he has been held in a Belgian correctional facility after multiple bail applications were denied over concerns that he might flee again.
Court’s Rationale for Extradition Approval
The court ruled that the criminal charges against Choksi in India – including cheating, criminal conspiracy, breach of trust, destruction of evidence, and corruption – are also punishable under Belgian law. This satisfies the international legal principle of “dual criminality,” a prerequisite for extradition between countries.
India has charged Choksi under several provisions of the Indian Penal Code and under Sections 7 and 13 of the Prevention of Corruption Act. To support its case, India referenced the UN Convention Against Corruption and the UN Convention Against Transnational Organised Crime, both ratified by Belgium.
Investigation and Legal Coordination
The Central Bureau of Investigation sent multiple delegations to Belgium to present documentation and has retained a European law firm to coordinate legal proceedings and evidence submission. Choksi, who fled India in 2018, is accused of defrauding Punjab National Bank in one of India’s biggest financial scams.
The Antwerp ruling represents a significant step forward in India’s efforts to bring back the absconding businessman to face trial in the massive banking fraud case.
