India Seeks Extradition of Mehul Choksi from Belgium
Indian authorities have formally requested the extradition of fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi from Belgium, following his arrest in Antwerp on April 12. Choksi, implicated in the ₹13,000 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case, had been residing in Belgium after fleeing India in 2018. The Belgian Federal Public Service of Justice confirmed receipt of India’s extradition request and stated that Choksi is detained pending further judicial proceedings.
Legal Proceedings and Defense Arguments
Choksi’s legal team has announced plans to appeal against his detention, citing his ongoing cancer treatment and asserting that he poses no flight risk. They argue that the extradition request is politically motivated and raise concerns about potential human rights violations if Choksi is returned to India. Under the India-Belgium extradition treaty, offenses punishable by imprisonment of one year or more are considered extraditable, though exceptions exist for politically charged cases.
Background on the PNB Fraud Case
In 2018, the PNB uncovered a massive fraud involving fraudulent letters of undertaking, leading to significant financial losses. Choksi, along with his nephew Nirav Modi, is accused of orchestrating the scam. While Choksi fled to Antigua and later moved to Belgium, Modi was arrested in the UK in 2019 and remains in custody, contesting extradition to India.
Indian investigative agencies have been actively pursuing Choksi’s return, sharing arrest warrants and collaborating with international counterparts. The outcome of the extradition proceedings in Belgium will be pivotal in bringing Choksi to justice and addressing one of India’s most significant financial frauds.
