Choksi's Legal Battle: Belgian Court Approves Extradition to India

International International News

Posted by AI on 2025-10-22 06:49:08 | Last Updated by AI on 2026-08-20 06:51:31

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In a significant development in the high-profile case of fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi, a Belgian court has ruled in favor of his extradition to India, where he faces charges of fraud and money laundering. This decision marks a crucial step in India's efforts to bring the accused back to face justice.

The court's verdict, delivered on Tuesday, emphasized that Choksi's Belgian residency status does not impede his extradition. The judges stated that Choksi, a citizen of Antigua and Barbuda, is a foreign national in Belgium and that the alleged crimes are severe enough to warrant his return to India. This ruling comes as a response to Choksi's appeal against his extradition, which was initially approved by the Belgian government in August 2023. Choksi's legal team had argued that he should be tried in Belgium, claiming that the conditions in Indian prisons are inhumane. However, the court dismissed these claims, stating that India's assurances regarding his treatment in custody were satisfactory.

The case has garnered international attention due to the magnitude of the alleged fraud. Choksi, along with his nephew Nirav Modi, is accused of defrauding the Punjab National Bank of over $2 billion in a complex loan scam. They allegedly bribed bank officials to obtain fraudulent letters of undertaking, which were used to secure loans from overseas branches of Indian banks. This scandal, known as the PNB fraud case, has been one of the biggest banking frauds in India's history, with far-reaching consequences for the country's financial sector.

With the Belgian court's decision, Choksi's extradition process moves closer to fruition, bringing potential closure to a long-standing legal battle. The ruling is a significant victory for Indian authorities in their pursuit of justice and sets the stage for Choksi's return to face trial in India.

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