Fugitive Indian diamantaire Mehul Choksi has filed a fresh plea before the Belgian Court of Appeal, seeking relief from India’s ongoing extradition efforts. In his latest petition, Choksi has accused Belgian authorities of violating legal protocols and the principles of natural justice during his arrest earlier this month.
The plea, submitted by Choksi’s Belgian legal team and drafted by Advocate Vijay Aggarwal, argues that the arrest procedure carried out by Belgian officials was not only procedurally flawed but also infringed upon his fundamental rights.
According to a report by news agencies, Choksi claimed that due process was ignored, and his arrest amounted to a breach of legal norms intended to protect individual liberties. Based on these alleged procedural lapses, Choksi has demanded his immediate release. However, the Belgian Court of Appeal has adjourned the hearing on this petition for now.
This legal development comes shortly after Choksi’s earlier bail application was rejected by the same court. Speaking to ANI, Advocate Vijay Aggarwal expressed disappointment with the court's decision to deny bail but emphasised that Belgian law permits multiple bail applications.
“Unfortunately, my client has been denied bail today. However, in Belgium, we can apply for bail as many times as needed. We will carefully examine the court’s observations and file a fresh plea on new grounds shortly,” Aggarwal said.
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Choksi is one of the main accused in the ₹13,500 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case, along with his nephew Nirav Modi. The two allegedly used fraudulent Letters of Undertaking (LoUs) to secure overseas credit from Indian banks, triggering one of the largest financial scandals in Indian banking history.
In his latest petition—the second since his arrest—Choksi reiterated that the arrest was "arbitrary and unlawful." He continues to oppose his extradition to India, with his legal team preparing to challenge it on two primary grounds: the alleged political nature of the case and concerns over his medical condition and ongoing treatment.
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Earlier in April, Belgian authorities arrested Choksi following a formal extradition request from Indian investigative agencies in connection with the PNB scam.
Aggarwal, in his statements to the media, has previously maintained that Choksi has cooperated with Indian investigative authorities and has consistently offered to participate in the proceedings via video conferencing due to ongoing health concerns.
He also noted that previous extradition attempts—particularly from Dominica—had failed. At the time, Choksi had been receiving medical treatment in Antigua, and had later travelled to Belgium for cancer-related care.
The case continues to draw attention as Choksi battles extradition efforts while seeking relief through the Belgian legal system, citing violations of justice and concerns over his health.
Also Read: Mehul Choksi traced in Belgium, India moves for extradition
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