Fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi’s long stay abroad may soon come to an end, with a Belgian court in Antwerp approving his extradition to India in connection with the ₹13,500-crore Punjab National Bank fraud case, reports said on Friday.
The ruling, viewed as a significant step forward in India’s pursuit of the absconding businessman, upheld the legality of his April arrest by Belgian authorities. Choksi, who fled India in 2018, has been wanted for his alleged role in one of the country’s biggest financial scams.
Officials familiar with the matter described the decision as “a crucial milestone” in the long-drawn extradition process that has involved years of legal wrangling and diplomatic coordination between New Delhi and Brussels.
The court, however, granted Choksi the right to challenge the order before a higher tribunal, effectively delaying any immediate transfer to India. Despite the reprieve, legal experts said the verdict strongly favours India’s case and reinforces its grounds for extradition under international law.
Choksi was detained by Antwerp police on April 11 following a formal extradition request from Indian investigative agencies. Since then, he has been lodged in a Belgian correctional facility, with multiple bail pleas turned down over fears he could abscond again.
During hearings, the Belgian prosecution, acting on India’s behalf, presented extensive documentation, while Choksi’s legal team argued against the extradition citing procedural and human rights concerns.
Also read: India assures Belgium on Mehul Choksi’s detention in PNB fraud case
The court concluded that the charges levelled against Choksi in India, including cheating, criminal conspiracy, breach of trust, destruction of evidence and corruption, were also offences under Belgian law. This satisfied the international principle of “dual criminality,” a key requirement in cross-border extradition cases.
India’s case against Choksi, led by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED), is built on charges under Sections 120B, 201, 409, 420 and 477A of the Indian Penal Code and Sections 7 and 13 of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
To strengthen its claim, New Delhi cited the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) and the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organised Crime (UNTOC), both ratified by Belgium. These treaties establish frameworks for mutual legal assistance and cooperation in corruption and organised crime cases.
Officials said multiple CBI delegations have travelled to Belgium over the past year to submit evidence and liaise with local prosecutors. India has also engaged a European law firm to assist in legal coordination and ensure compliance with Belgian judicial procedures.
Choksi’s case has remained one of the most high-profile international financial crime investigations pursued by Indian authorities. The Antwerp ruling now places India closer to securing his extradition — a move that would mark a major diplomatic and legal success for New Delhi.
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