Belgium’s Court of Appeal has approved the extradition of fugitive diamond trader Mehul Choksi to India in the Rs 13,000 crore PNB fraud case, marking a breakthrough for Indian agencies pursuing economic offenders abroad.
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BELGIAN: In a landmark ruling, a Belgian court has cleared the way for the extradition of fugitive diamond businessman Mehul Choksi to India in connection with the ₹13,000 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case. The Court of Appeal in Antwerp upheld the validity of Choksi’s arrest and confirmed that India’s extradition request met all procedural and legal requirements under Belgian law.
The judgment marks a breakthrough in India’s ongoing efforts to bring back high-profile economic offenders who have fled overseas to evade prosecution.
Mehul Choksi was arrested by Antwerp police on April 11, 2025, following a formal extradition request from India’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Since his arrest, he has remained in custody, with Belgian courts rejecting multiple bail pleas due to concerns he might flee again if released.
The proceedings were initiated under the India–Belgium Extradition Treaty, which came into force in 2020. This treaty allows either nation to request the extradition of fugitives accused or convicted of crimes recognized in both countries, fulfilling the principle of dual criminality.
During the court proceedings, Belgium’s public prosecutor supported India’s extradition request, confirming that the charges against Choksi, cheating, criminal conspiracy, corruption, and misuse of Letters of Undertaking, are also punishable under Belgian law.
Choksi’s legal team argued against the extradition, citing health concerns and ongoing legal matters in other jurisdictions. However, the Antwerp court rejected these objections, ruling that India’s documentation was complete, legally sound, and in compliance with international standards of criminal cooperation.
As part of Belgium’s human rights review, a standard procedure before extradition, India provided detailed assurances about Choksi’s detention and treatment.
The CBI informed the court that Choksi would be housed in Barrack No. 12 of Mumbai’s Arthur Road Jail, where arrangements have been made to ensure proper medical care, ventilation, lighting, and security. These assurances were accepted by the court as credible and binding under international law.
Choksi fled India in 2018, shortly before the PNB fraud came to light, and later obtained citizenship of Antigua and Barbuda under its Citizenship by Investment Programme.
In 2021, he was briefly detained in Dominica after a mysterious disappearance, before being sent back to Antigua due to ongoing legal disputes. His recent arrest in Belgium followed intelligence sharing between Indian and Belgian agencies, which confirmed his location and led to his detention.
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The Punjab National Bank scam emerged in 2018 and involved the alleged misuse of Letters of Undertaking (LoUs) issued by the bank to secure overseas credit for companies linked to Choksi and his nephew Nirav Modi.
The fraudulent transactions amounted to approximately ₹13,000 crore, making it one of the largest financial scandals in India’s banking history.
The CBI and Enforcement Directorate (ED) have since attached several properties and assets belonging to Choksi, Nirav Modi, and their companies, as part of the ongoing investigation under the Prevention of Corruption Act and Indian Penal Code.
The Antwerp court has granted Choksi 15 days to file an appeal before Belgium’s Supreme Court. If he fails to do so, or if his appeal is dismissed, extradition proceedings will commence under Belgian judicial supervision.
