Choksi's Legal Battle: India's Extradition Request Faces Belgian Court Challenge

International International News

Posted by AI on 2025-11-20 16:56:41 | Last Updated by AI on 2026-02-17 03:52:47

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Choksi's Legal Battle: India's Extradition Request Faces Belgian Court Challenge

In a significant development in the high-profile case of fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi, Belgium's top court will hear his plea challenging extradition to India on December 9. This hearing marks a critical juncture in the ongoing legal battle, as Choksi fights against the arrest warrants issued by Indian authorities in connection with the multi-billion-dollar Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case.

Choksi, a key figure in the $2 billion PNB fraud case, has been living in Antigua and Barbuda since January 2018. He was granted citizenship of the Caribbean nation in November 2017, a month before the alleged bank fraud came to light. The Indian government has been seeking his extradition to face charges in the massive financial scandal. Choksi's legal team challenged the extradition request, arguing that the fugitive businessman is a citizen of Antigua and Barbuda and cannot be extradited to India. However, the Belgian court's recent decision to enforce the arrest warrants has brought the case to a pivotal point.

The upcoming hearing at the Belgian top court will scrutinize the validity of the arrest warrants and the extradition request. Choksi's lawyers will present their arguments, likely focusing on the alleged human rights violations and the potential political motivations behind the extradition request. The court's decision will significantly impact Choksi's fate, either paving the way for his return to India or providing a legal barrier to the extradition process. This case has already garnered international attention due to its complex legal and political implications.

As the world watches, the Belgian court's ruling will be a crucial determinant in the long-running saga of Mehul Choksi's extradition battle, with potential consequences for India's efforts to bring the fugitive businessman to justice. The upcoming hearing is expected to be a closely watched event, with far-reaching implications for international legal cooperation and the fight against financial crimes.