Mehul Choksi Appeals Belgium Supreme Court Over Extradition Ruling

Choksi's Legal Challenge in Belgium

New Delhi: Mehul Choksi, a 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 as 'enforceable', according to officials on Monday.

In response to inquiries from various sources, 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. During this process, the extradition execution is put on hold," stated Ken Witpas.

The Court of Cassation serves as Belgium's Supreme Court.

On October 17, a four-member panel at the Antwerp Court of Appeals found no issues with the orders from the pre-trial chamber of the district court dated November 29, 2024, which labeled the arrest warrants from a Mumbai special court issued in May 2018 and June 2021 as 'enforceable', thereby permitting Choksi's extradition.

The Court of Appeals concluded that Choksi, the primary suspect in a ₹13,000 crore PNB scam, would face 'no risk' of an unfair trial or mistreatment if extradited to India.

According to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Choksi is alleged to have embezzled ₹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 for 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 arrest warrants from the Mumbai court.

The pre-trial chamber of the Antwerp District Court, Turnhout Division, ruled on November 29, 2024, that the arrest warrants against Choksi from the Mumbai court were enforceable, except for the order concerning 'causing the disappearance of evidence of the crime'.

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.