A Belgian court has given the green light for the extradition of fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi to India, marking a decisive step forward in the Rs 13,000 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case. The Court of Appeal in Antwerp ruled that the charges against Choksi ranging from fraud to forgery and corruption qualify as offences under both Indian and Belgian law, thereby fulfilling the principle of dual criminality, a cornerstone of extradition law.
The ruling delivers a significant setback to Choksi, who had long resisted India’s efforts to bring him back to face trial. His defence team argued that he was a victim of political persecution and risked unfair treatment if sent back to India, but the Belgian judges found these claims unsubstantiated. The court also dismissed his assertions regarding alleged abduction and threats to personal safety, stating there was no credible evidence of torture or inhuman treatment awaiting him in India.
India’s detailed diplomatic assurances played a crucial role in shaping the verdict. Through formal undertakings, New Delhi assured Belgian authorities that Choksi would receive a fair trial and humane detention conditions, with adequate food, medical care, and proper facilities at the Mumbai prison where he would be held. The court noted that these commitments met international legal standards and dispelled concerns about rights violations.
Interestingly, while the court accepted nearly all of India’s charges, it excluded one relating to the disappearance of evidence since this particular offence does not exist under Belgian law. Nevertheless, the decision paves the way for Choksi’s extradition, signalling strong judicial cooperation between India and Belgium in matters of economic crime.
The PNB scam, unearthed in 2018, is among the largest financial frauds in India’s history. Choksi and his nephew, Nirav Modi, are accused of using fraudulent Letters of Undertaking (LoUs) issued by the state-owned bank to siphon off thousands of crores. Both fled India before the scam came to light, triggering a massive international manhunt. While Nirav Modi remains in a UK prison awaiting extradition, the Belgian court’s order against Choksi marks a critical diplomatic and legal victory for India’s enforcement agencies.
Despite this ruling, Choksi’s legal battle is not yet over. He still has the option to appeal the extradition order before Belgium’s Supreme Court. However, the tone of the Antwerp court’s judgment suggests that his path forward may be narrowing.
For India, the decision is more than a procedural win it is a reaffirmation of global trust in the country’s judicial and legal framework. As the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Enforcement Directorate prepare for the next steps, Choksi’s return could soon bring one of India’s longest-running financial scandals closer to resolution.
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