The Indian government has provided formal assurances to the Belgian government regarding the detention conditions for Mehul Choksi, the fugitive businessman accused in the ₹25,000 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case, if he is extradited to India. These assurances aim to address human rights concerns raised during the extradition proceedings in Belgium.

Key assurances provided by the Indian government:

• Humane Treatment and Facilities: India has committed to holding Choksi in humane conditions that adhere to European human rights standards. He would be lodged in Barrack No. 12 of Arthur Road Jail in Mumbai.
• Specific Facility Details: Barrack No. 12 is a 20x15 foot cell equipped with a separate toilet, three ceiling fans, six fluorescent lights, multiple ventilators, and wire-mesh windows to ensure air circulation and prevent insects from entering.
• No Solitary Confinement: Authorities have assured that Choksi will not be placed in solitary confinement. Instead, he will share the cell with another undertrial facing similar economic offense charges, with whom he can communicate in a common language.
• Separation from Main Prison: Barrack No. 12 is separate from the main prison complex, reducing the risk of overcrowding, violence, or extortion.
• Security and Monitoring: The barrack is equipped with CCTV cameras monitored around the clock and guarded by prison staff.
• Personal Space: Each detainee will be provided a minimum of three square meters of personal space, excluding furniture, in accordance with norms set by the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT). The barrack has a maximum capacity of six people.
• Basic Amenities: Choksi will receive basic amenities such as a cotton mat, blanket, bedsheet, and pillow, with the option of a bed if required for medical reasons or approved by the court.
• Hygiene and Healthcare: The authorities have assured daily cleaning, twice-daily garbage disposal, and round-the-clock access to medical care, including emergency services at JJ Hospital.
• Recreation: Recreational provisions include access to a 15x40-foot open-air yard where inmates can exercise or engage in games like badminton, chess, and carrom. Yoga and meditation sessions are also available, along with access to the prison library. Choksi will be allowed more than an hour of daily access to the yard.
• Food and Nutrition: Meals will be served three times a day in accordance with nutritional guidelines. Choksi will be allowed court-approved home-cooked meals, and the prison canteen will supply snacks, fruits, toiletries, and other necessities.

Extradition Proceedings and Charges:

Extradition proceedings are currently underway at the Chambers of Indictment in Antwerp. Choksi was arrested by local police in Antwerp on April 12, and his identity was confirmed through photographs, fingerprints, and palm prints. He is currently being held in a city prison. Choksi faces charges under various sections of Indian law, including criminal conspiracy, cheating, and sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Background:

Mehul Choksi and his nephew, Nirav Modi, are the primary accused in the PNB fraud case involving fraudulent transactions. Nirav Modi is currently undergoing extradition proceedings in the United Kingdom. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) are investigating Choksi for money laundering and misuse of office in connection with the PNB fraud.