In a significant legal development that strengthens India's position in bringing back economic offenders, a Belgian court has firmly rejected fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi's apprehensions about his potential extradition. The court has categorically stated that there is "no risk" that Choksi would be denied a fair trial upon his return to India.
Court Backs India's Sovereign Assurance
The Brussels Court of Appeal delivered this decisive verdict while dismissing Choksi's appeal against a lower court's extradition order. A pivotal factor in the ruling was the weight given to the diplomatic assurances provided by the Indian government. The court placed its trust in India's sovereign guarantee that Choksi would receive all necessary medical attention and that his fundamental legal rights would be fully protected during the judicial process.
A Setback in Choksi's Legal Battle
This judgment represents a substantial setback for Mehul Choksi, the alleged mastermind behind the massive Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case. He and his nephew, Nirav Modi, are the central figures accused of orchestrating one of India's largest banking scams, estimated to be worth over ₹14,000 crore. Choksi had been mounting a vigorous legal campaign in Belgium to prevent his extradition, citing various health concerns and casting doubts on the fairness of the Indian legal system.
The Path Forward for Extradition
With this appeal now dismissed, the legal pathway for Choksi's extradition from Belgium is clearer. However, the process is not yet complete. The case file will now be forwarded to the office of the Belgian Minister of Justice, who holds the ultimate authority to issue the final order for his surrender to India. This decision marks a crucial step forward for Indian agencies seeking to bring the accused to trial in Indian courts.
