In a landmark decision, Belgium’s Antwerp Court of Appeal has cleared fugitive diamond trader Mehul Choksi for extradition to India, rejecting his claims of political persecution and confirming that the charges against him are criminal, not political.
The court’s ruling is being hailed as a major diplomatic and legal victory for India in its decade-long pursuit of justice in the ₹13,000 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case—one of the largest banking scams in the country’s history.
Court Confirms Dual Criminality, Dismisses Political Allegations
According to reports, the Belgian court held that the offences attributed to Choksi—fraud, criminal conspiracy, breach of trust, and forgery—are punishable under both Indian and Belgian law, satisfying the crucial principle of dual criminality required for extradition.
Rejecting Choksi’s contention that the case was politically motivated, the court observed,
“These offences cannot be classified as political, military, or non-extraditable tax offences.”
Choksi, who fled India in 2018 after the PNB scam surfaced, faces multiple charges under Sections 120-B, 201, 409, 420, and 477-A of the Indian Penal Code and under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
Belgium Recognizes India’s Legal and Humanitarian Standards
The court also dismissed Choksi’s claim that he had been kidnapped from Antigua under Indian government orders, noting a lack of credible evidence. It ruled that the documents provided “do not substantiate that any abduction occurred under instructions from Indian authorities.”
India, in turn, provided detailed humanitarian assurances to Belgium, including:
◆Choksi’s detention in Barrack No. 12 at Arthur Road Jail, Mumbai
◆Access to medical care, private sanitation, and adequate space
◆Oversight by the National and State Human Rights Commissions
The court found no grounds to believe Choksi would face inhuman or degrading treatment or denial of fair trial in India.
Major Boost to India’s Global Anti-Fraud Image
A senior Indian official described the verdict as “a significant validation of India’s sustained legal and diplomatic efforts,” noting that it bolsters India’s global credibility in pursuing economic offenders.
Choksi, along with his nephew Nirav Modi, is accused of defrauding Punjab National Bank through fake Letters of Undertaking (LoUs), siphoning off thousands of crores to shell companies abroad.
His extradition, once executed, will mark a turning point in India’s campaign against fugitive financial offenders. However, Choksi still retains the right to appeal before Belgium’s Supreme Court.
The Bigger Message
The Antwerp court’s decision is not just a legal ruling—it’s a statement. It reinforces India’s message to global financial offenders:
“You can flee the country, but you can’t escape justice.”
As India awaits Choksi’s final extradition, the judgment sets a powerful precedent in cross-border financial crime enforcement—strengthening the Modi government’s stance on accountability, transparency, and zero tolerance for corruption.
