Belgian court clears fugitive jeweller Mehul Choksi's extradition

A Belgian court on Friday approved the extradition of fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi to India, ruling that his arrest by Belgian authorities on India’s request was valid, officials familiar with the development said.

- MPOST BUREAU

The decision marks a significant legal step in India’s ongoing effort to bring Choksi to justice for his alleged role in the Rs 13,000-crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case.

“The order has come in our favour. The court has termed his arrest by the Belgian authorities on India’s request valid. The first legal step in getting him extradited is now clear,” a senior official said. Choksi, 66, retains the option of appealing the decision in a higher Belgian court.

Choksi was apprehended in Belgium on April 11, following an extradition request filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). His bail applications have been consistently rejected by Belgian courts. During hearings in mid-September, the court considered arguments from Belgian prosecutors and Choksi’s defence, concluding that the arrest procedure met legal requirements. Prosecutors had stressed that Choksi remains a flight risk and should remain in detention.