Belgian court junks Choksi’s allegations of ‘political trial’

A Belgian court of appeal while allowing Mehul Choksi’s extradition last week ruled that he is neither the subject of a “political trial” nor does he run the risk of torture or denial of justice in India, dismissing the fugitive's argument that he was kidnapped in Antigua and Barbuda at the behest of Indian authorities in May 2021.

- Neeraj Chauhan

The four-member Chamber of ‘Accusation (or Charging) at Antwerp’s Court of Appeals said in its judgment on October 17 that two arrest warrants issued by Indian courts --- on May 23, 2018 and June 15, 2021 based on Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) requests --- were “enforceable” on the charges pertaining to criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, fraud, embezzlement and criminal misconduct.

The court said these offences are punishable with a minimum prison sentence of one year in both India and Belgium (principle of reciprocity).

It, however, didn’t authorise the charges related to destruction of evidence brought out by India, as it is not a crime in Belgium.