In a major legal setback for fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi, a Belgian court has firmly rejected his claims that he would face an unfair trial or ill-treatment if extradited to India. The ruling represents a significant victory for Indian authorities seeking to bring the alleged mastermind of the ₹13,500 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud to justice.
Court Dismisses Choksi's Safety Concerns
The Belgian judicial system has delivered a strong endorsement of India's judicial processes, specifically addressing Choksi's expressed fears about returning to face trial. The court meticulously examined India's assurances and found them credible, concluding that the businessman would receive fair treatment under Indian law.
The Long-Running Legal Battle
Mehul Choksi, who stands accused of orchestrating one of India's largest banking frauds through fraudulent Letters of Undertaking from PNB, has been fighting extradition from multiple jurisdictions. His legal team had argued that he faced potential human rights violations and an unjust judicial process in India.
What This Ruling Means
This decision marks a crucial turning point in the multi-year effort to bring Choksi back to India. The Belgian court's validation of India's judicial system strengthens the country's position in other international legal forums and could influence pending extradition proceedings elsewhere.
The ruling also reinforces India's standing in global judicial cooperation, demonstrating that foreign courts have confidence in the country's ability to conduct fair trials even in high-profile financial crime cases.
