Following a ruling by a Belgian court, fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi may soon find himself in Barrack No. 12 of Mumbai’s Arthur Road Jail. The court in Antwerp has cleared the way for his extradition to India, dismissing his arguments against it as "irrelevant". This marks a significant step in India's effort to bring Choksi to justice for his alleged role in the ₹13,500 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case.
Choksi, who has been in Antwerp Prison since his arrest in April, is wanted in India for allegedly defrauding the Punjab National Bank of over ₹13,000 crore. He fled India and took citizenship in Antigua and Barbuda days before the scam was detected.
In its ruling, the Belgian court rejected Choksi's claims that he would not receive a fair trial in India, and that he would be subjected to torture, inhuman, or degrading treatment. The court also dismissed his claims of political persecution. According to the court, Choksi failed to demonstrate any serious risk of ill-treatment upon extradition. The court stated that the offenses attributed to Choksi are extraditable under both Indian and Belgian law.
To assure the Belgian authorities of humane detention conditions, the Indian government submitted an affidavit containing detailed architectural drawings and interior photographs of Barrack No. 12 at the Arthur Road Jail. The images, prepared by the Central Public Works Department (CPWD), showcase the barrack's features, including security measures and amenities. The unit allotted for Choksi measures approximately 46.5 square metres (around 500 sq. ft.), comprising a main room, passage, wash area, and private toilet.
The facility is equipped with ventilated windows featuring mosquito netting, grilled doors for security, CCTV surveillance, ceiling fans, and tube lights. It also includes a shower with running water, as well as PVC flooring and wall tiles for enhanced hygiene. A mobile jammer has been installed, and a CCTV camera positioned near the ventilator to ensure constant monitoring. The jail authority said that Barrack 12 has two cells designated for Choksi and liquor baron Vijay Mallya. At least one more economic offender is expected to share the cell with him.
The court also addressed concerns about the Indian judiciary, noting that reports submitted by Choksi's lawyer related to unrelated cases and did not establish that Choksi faces any personal risk of injustice or mistreatment in India.
While this ruling is a significant victory for India, Choksi has the option to appeal the decision in Belgium's Supreme Court. Despite this possibility, the order validates India's case seeking his extradition, potentially concluding a major chapter in one of India's largest banking fraud investigations.
