Mehul Choksi’s Flight from Justice Faces End: Belgian Court Clears Extradition to India

A significant development in India's pursuit of fugitive diamond merchant Mehul Choksi occurred on October 17, 2025, when a Belgian court in Antwerp approved his extradition to India. The court upheld the validity of Choksi's arrest by Belgian authorities in April 2025, which had been made on India's extradition request, confirming the legal grounds for his transfer.

Choksi, aged 65, is wanted in India in the ₹13,000 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case, facing charges including criminal conspiracy, cheating, criminal breach of trust, destruction of evidence, and bribery under the Indian Penal Code and the Prevention of Corruption Act. India's extradition request relied on the principle of dual criminality and international conventions, including UNTOC and UNCAC.

The Belgian court ruling is a major validation of India's extradition efforts, although Choksi retains the right to appeal to a higher Belgian court. Choksi's lawyers had requested bail citing his health concerns, including cancer, but the Belgian court rejected these pleas, considering him a potential flight risk.

Indian authorities assured Belgian officials that upon extradition, Choksi would be held in compliant facilities at Mumbai's Arthur Road Jail, with access to adequate medical care and humane treatment in accordance with European standards.

This decision follows extensive legal proceedings, during which the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) presented detailed evidence of Choksi's fraud and efforts to evade prosecution. While Choksi claimed Antiguan citizenship, India maintains that he is still an Indian citizen.

In conclusion, the Belgian court's extradition order marks a crucial step forward in India's efforts to bring Choksi to justice, highlighting strong international cooperation in cross-border law enforcement.