India Inches Closer: Belgium SC Rejects Mehul Choksi’s Final Plea; Extradition Process To Begin? | India News
PNB Fraud Case: In a significant development, the Belgian Supreme Court (Supreme Court) dismissed Mehul Choksi’s appeal against the Antwerp Court of Appeal’s decision allowing his extradition to India.
Citing Belgian court officials, ANI reported the Belgian high court’s decisive move, which marks a significant turn in the long-running case against Mehul Choksi.
Additionally, with the rejection of the appeal, the authorities confirmed that the extradition order can now be executed, provided that the necessary formalities are completed.
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Choksi approached the Supreme Court on October 30 to challenge the appellate court’s October 17 order, officials told ANI.
Since the Supreme Court only examines legal issues, the objection was reviewed and rejected; thus ensuring full validity of the decision of the Antwerp Court of Appeal. This also puts an end to the temporary suspension of execution of the extradition decision.
Antwerp Court of Appeal in the Mehul Choksi Case
The Antwerp Court of Appeal had earlier upheld the extradition request of Mehul Choksi in India’s Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case and concluded that the criminal allegations of conspiracy, cheating, embezzlement and forgery were punishable under Indian law and amounted to similar offenses under Belgian law, thus meeting the requirement of double criminality.
A charge of disappearance of evidence under Article 201 of the IPC was excluded because it had no equivalent under Belgian law.
The court had also noted that Mehul Choksi’s allegations of political motivation and that he was forcibly removed from Antigua were not supported by the material on record.
Indian authorities had given detailed assurances regarding Mehul Choksi’s treatment and medical care after his extradition.
Specifically, the court noted that he will be lodged in Barrack No. 12 of Arthur Road Jail in Mumbai, in a facility with special sanitary facilities and will remain under judicial custody, with his movement allowed only for medical needs or court appearances. No credible indication of mistreatment or unfair legal process was found.
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PNB Fraud Case
Mehul Choksi was arrested in Antwerp on April 11, 2025, following India’s official extradition request. Along with his nephew Nirav Modi, he is alleged to have Rs. 13,000 crore PNB scam.
Can Mehul Choksi’s Extradition Process Begin?
After the court rejected his latest legal challenge, Belgian officials told ANI that the country is now in a position to implement the extradition order, bringing India significantly closer to securing his extradition.
(with ANI entries)
