Mehul Choksi Appeals Belgium Supreme Court Over Extradition Ruling

Fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi has filed an appeal with Belgium's Supreme Court against an extradition ruling by the Antwerp Court of Appeals. This legal move comes after the court deemed India's extradition request enforceable. Choksi, implicated in a ₹13,000 crore PNB scam, argues that he would not receive a fair trial in India. The appeal focuses on legal merits and has temporarily suspended the extradition process. As the situation unfolds, India has assured Belgium of Choksi's safety and fair treatment during the trial. Stay tuned for more updates on this high-profile case.

By Narendra Chaudhary Nov 3, 2025, 18:59 IST

Challenging the Extradition Decision

New Delhi: Mehul Choksi, the fugitive diamantaire, has filed an appeal with the Supreme Court of Belgium against the Antwerp Court of Appeals' ruling from October 17, which deemed India's extradition request valid, officials reported on Monday.

In response to inquiries from the media, the public prosecutor at the Antwerp Court of Appeal confirmed that Choksi submitted his appeal to the Court of Cassation on October 30.

This appeal focuses solely on legal aspects and will be evaluated by the Court of Cassation, which has temporarily halted the extradition process, according to Ken Witpas.

The Court of Cassation serves as Belgium's highest court.

On October 17, a four-member panel at the Antwerp Court of Appeals found no issues with the earlier orders from the pre-trial chamber of the district court, which had declared the arrest warrants from a Mumbai special court in May 2018 and June 2021 enforceable, thus permitting Choksi's extradition.

The Court of Appeals concluded that Choksi, the primary suspect in a ₹13,000 crore PNB scam, would not face unfair trial risks or mistreatment if extradited to India.

According to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Choksi is alleged to have misappropriated ₹6,400 crore from the total scam amount.

Choksi fled to Antigua and Barbuda in January 2018, just before the scam was uncovered, and was later seen in Belgium, reportedly seeking medical treatment.

India submitted an extradition request to Belgium on August 27, 2024, based on the arrest warrants issued by the Mumbai special court.

On November 25, 2024, the public prosecutor at the Antwerp Court of First Instance initiated proceedings to enforce the Mumbai court's arrest warrants.

The pre-trial chamber of the Antwerp District Court, Turnhout Division, ruled on November 29, 2024, that the arrest warrants against Choksi were enforceable, with the exception of the order concerning the destruction of evidence.

India has provided several assurances to Belgium regarding Choksi's safety, the charges he would face during his trial in India, prison conditions, human rights, and medical requirements.