Antwerp Court Clears Extradition of Fugitive Diamantaire Mehul Choksi to India
ANTWERP, BELGIUM – In a major legal victory for Indian investigative agencies, a court in Antwerp, Belgium, has approved the extradition of fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi, wanted in connection with the multi-billion rupee Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case. The ruling, delivered on Friday, October 17, 2025, validated Choksi’s arrest by Belgian authorities earlier this year, marking a critical step toward his eventual return to India to face trial.
Legal Validation and Fraud Context
The Court of Appeals in Antwerp issued a preliminary judgment upholding the legitimacy of Choksi’s detention, rejecting his appeal against the extradition request lodged by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Choksi, who fled India in early 2018, is accused alongside his nephew, Nirav Modi, of orchestrating a fraud that allegedly swindled PNB of over $1.5 billion (approximately ₹13,000 crore) through the issuance of fraudulent Letters of Undertaking (LoUs).
Next Steps and Diplomatic Validation
While the judgment clears the primary legal hurdle for India, Choksi still retains the right to challenge the decision before the Belgian Supreme Court. Officials in New Delhi view the Antwerp court’s order as a strong validation of the comprehensive legal and diplomatic efforts undertaken to secure the fugitive’s presence for prosecution.
Humane Custody Assurances to Belgium
A key factor in the Belgian court’s decision was the detailed assurance provided by the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) regarding Choksi’s detention conditions upon extradition. To satisfy European human rights standards and address concerns raised by Choksi’s defense, the MHA guaranteed that he would be lodged in Barrack No. 12 of Mumbai’s Arthur Road Jail complex. This barrack, reserved for non-violent and white-collar offenders, was explicitly confirmed to meet minimum space, hygiene, ventilation, and medical care requirements as set out by the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT). The guarantees also included provisions for daily cleaning, adequate food, access to media, exercise, legal counsel, and protection against solitary confinement.
Arrest History and Final Appeal Window
Choksi, who had acquired citizenship in Antigua and Barbuda prior to his departure from India, was arrested in Antwerp in April 2025 based on an Interpol Red Notice and India’s formal request. Throughout his detention, multiple bail pleas were rejected by Belgian courts on the grounds that he was deemed a significant flight risk. The extradition clearance is a diplomatic and legal triumph for India, signaling successful inter-country cooperation in bringing high-profile economic offenders to justice. However, Choksi’s legal team has a 15-day window to appeal the Court of Appeal’s preliminary judgment to the Belgian Supreme Court, meaning the final chapter in the protracted extradition saga is yet to be written. Until that appeal process is exhausted, Choksi is expected to remain in custody in Antwerp Prison.
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