Mehul Choksi’s downfall sealed, Antwerp court clears extradition to India in ₹13,000 crore scam case

International News: In a dramatic development, the Antwerp court ruled that Mehul Choksi must be extradited to India. The judges said India’s demand was valid, and the Belgian police had arrested him correctly. This verdict is being seen as a major breakthrough for Indian agencies like the CBI and ED, who have been chasing Choksi for years. Choksi’s lawyers claimed they would appeal in a higher court, but experts believe the extradition process has now entered its final stage.

Four months inside Antwerp prison

Choksi was arrested by Belgian police on April 11, 2025. Since then, he has been in jail for over four months. All his bail pleas were rejected as the court considered him a flight risk. Judges noted that his escape attempt was a strong possibility, so keeping him in custody was justified. The rejection of bail at every stage made it clear that Belgium was treating the case with utmost seriousness.

India presents strong fraud case

Indian agencies told the court that Choksi is the key accused in the ₹13,850 crore Punjab National Bank scam. He allegedly issued fake Letters of Undertaking to secure loans from foreign banks without collateral. These funds were then laundered through shell companies abroad. India also charged him with criminal conspiracy, fraud, corruption, and destruction of evidence. The Belgian court agreed that the crimes matched Belgian law, fulfilling the dual criminality condition.

Fake diamonds and market fraud

CBI presented evidence that Choksi’s companies sold fake diamonds as genuine to cheat banks and investors. They said he used forged guarantees to siphon money abroad. On top of this, SEBI had already banned him from the Indian stock market for ten years due to serious irregularities. The charges painted him as not just a bank fraudster but also a manipulator of markets. This strengthened India’s demand for extradition.

Extradition under global treaties

India reminded the court of its international commitments. It cited UN conventions against organized crime and corruption while demanding Choksi’s return. CBI teams visited Belgium three times, submitted evidence, and worked with a European law firm to complete the legal process. This effort paid off when the court ruled in India’s favor. The verdict shows how cross-border cooperation can help nations fight financial fugitives hiding overseas.

India assures prison facilities

The court also asked India about prison conditions. In reply, India assured that Choksi would not be kept in solitary confinement. He will be lodged in barrack number 12 of Mumbai’s Arthur Road Jail. He will have access to clean water, food, TV, newspapers, and a personal doctor. These promises were made in line with European human rights standards to satisfy the court’s concerns.

Citizenship dispute rejected

Choksi tried to argue that he was no longer an Indian citizen, as he took Antiguan citizenship in 2017. But India told the court his Indian passport was never officially revoked. Hence, he remains an Indian citizen and is bound by Indian law. CBI officials hailed the ruling as a historic success. They said this verdict is a milestone in India’s long battle to bring fugitives back home for justice.