A Belgian court in Antwerp has approved the extradition of fugitive diamond trader Mehul Choksi to India, marking a pivotal step in the ₹13,000 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case. Choksi, arrested in April 2025, remains in Belgian custody with multiple bail pleas rejected on flight risk grounds.
He now has 15 days to appeal the ruling in Belgium’s Supreme Court. Indian officials hailed the decision as a breakthrough, while Belgian prosecutors confirmed the charges meet international extradition requirements.
The Extradition Order
On October 17, 2025, the Court of Appeals in Antwerp upheld the arrest and detention of Mehul Choksi following a formal request by Indian authorities, validating the process under both Belgian and international law. Prosecutors presented in-depth evidence detailing Choksi’s involvement in fraud, conspiracy, and corruption, ensuring legal standards like “dual criminality” were met, meaning the charges are prosecutable in both countries.
Choksi’s team argued he no longer holds Indian citizenship, having acquired Antiguan nationality, but Indian representatives countered with documentation disputing his claim and outlined his continued legal responsibility. Officials, including the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and India’s Ministry of Home Affairs, welcomed the verdict, noting it demonstrates effective diplomatic engagement and international cooperation.
The Banking Fraud: From India to Belgium
Mehul Choksi, together with his nephew Nirav Modi, allegedly orchestrated one of India’s largest banking scandals, defrauding PNB of over ₹13,000 crore via fraudulent Letters of Undertaking and credit guarantees in 2017. Investigations revealed that Choksi had siphoned off over ₹6,400 crore, while the sum total of losses exceeded $950 million.
The scam leveraged overseas banks in Mauritius, Hong Kong, Antwerp, and Frankfurt and exposed systemic vulnerabilities within Indian banking processes. After fleeing India in January 2018, Choksi travelled to the US and Antigua, where he obtained citizenship before relocating to Belgium in 2023. Since his Belgian arrest, authorities dismissed successive bail pleas, referencing his history of evasion and risk of absconding.
Safeguarding Rights: India’s Jail Assurances
During court proceedings, India provided detailed guarantees about Choksi’s future detention at Mumbai’s Arthur Road jail, should the extradition proceed. This includes compliance with European Committee for the Prevention of Torture standards, ensuring adequate cell space, medical care, nutritious food, media access, and no solitary confinement.
The CBI’s Global Operations Centre, in close partnership with Interpol and local legal experts, is monitoring the situation and maintaining open channels with Belgian law enforcement. Such efforts display a commitment not only to justice but also to due process and humane treatment.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Mehul Choksi’s case stands as a testament to international resolve in securing accountability for serious economic crimes. While the extradition process highlights the strength of legal and diplomatic cooperation, it also raises vital questions about the protection of fundamental rights, fair hearings, and humane prison conditions, even for those accused of major offences.
