In a dramatic turn to the ongoing legal saga, fugitive diamond magnate Mehul Choksi has launched a fresh legal offensive in his battle against extradition to India. The businessman, wanted in connection with the massive Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case, has now approached Belgium's Supreme Court to challenge the extradition order issued by the Antwerp Court of Appeal.
The Legal Chess Game Continues
Choksi's legal team has filed an appeal with Belgium's highest judicial authority, marking the latest move in what has become an international legal chess match. This development comes after the Antwerp Court of Appeal previously greenlit his extradition to India, where he faces serious allegations of financial fraud amounting to thousands of crores.
Background of the PNB Scandal
The case traces back to 2018 when the Punjab National Bank disclosed fraudulent transactions worth approximately ₹14,000 crore. Mehul Choksi and his nephew Nirav Modi were identified as the prime accused in what became one of India's largest banking frauds. While Modi remains in a London prison fighting his own extradition battle, Choksi's legal journey has taken him across multiple jurisdictions.
Choksi's International Odyssey
The diamond merchant's legal troubles have spanned continents:
- Fled India in January 2018 before the fraud came to light
- Obtained citizenship of Antigua and Barbuda in 2017
- Was arrested in Dominica in 2021 while allegedly attempting to flee to Cuba
- Currently remains in Belgium as his legal battles continue
The Belgian Legal Labyrinth
Belgium's Supreme Court now faces the task of examining whether the Antwerp court followed proper legal procedures in approving the extradition. Legal experts suggest that Choksi's appeal could focus on technicalities of Belgian extradition law and potential human rights concerns.
The stakes are incredibly high for all parties involved. For Indian authorities, a successful extradition would represent a significant victory in their pursuit of economic offenders. For Choksi, it could mean facing the Indian judicial system and potential imprisonment.
What's Next in the Legal Battle?
The Supreme Court's decision could go several ways:
- Uphold the Antwerp court's extradition order
- Overturn the decision and halt the extradition process
- Return the case to lower courts for reconsideration
- Impose additional conditions on the extradition
As the legal drama unfolds in European courtrooms, Indian investigative agencies continue to build their case, awaiting the day when Choksi might finally face trial in Indian courts. The outcome of this Supreme Court appeal could determine whether that day arrives sooner or much later.
