The way to bring fugitive diamond trader Mehul Choksi to India has become easier. A Belgian court has ordered to extradite Choksi to India. Choksi was arrested in Antwerp on April 11 following an extradition request sent by the CBI.
Mehul Chowksi: Fugitive diamond trader Mehul Choksi has been ordered to be extradited to India by a court in Antwerp, Belgium. Along with this, the court has declared his arrest by the Belgian authorities on the request of India as valid. After this order, it will be easy to bring Choksi back to New Delhi. According to an official associated with the case, Choksi still has the option to appeal against this decision in the High Court. This means that it may not come immediately, but the first and a very important step has been completed.
Choksi was arrested by the Antwerp police on April 11.
Let us tell you that 65-year-old Mehul Choksi was arrested by the Antwerp Police on April 11 on the basis of an extradition request sent by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Since then he is lodged in the jail there. His repeated attempts to get bail from different Belgian courts have failed every time. During the extradition proceedings in Belgian courts, CBI sent its team thrice and also took the help of a private European law firm. India also presented evidence of fraud and misappropriation of funds by Choksi and his repeated attempts to evade legal process.
See also: Fugitive diamond trader Mehul Choksi arrested in Belgium, main accused in PNB scam
Mehul Choksi will be kept in Mumbai’s Arthur Road Jail.
The Indian government also assured Belgium that if Choksi is extradited to India, he will be housed in Barrack No. 12 of Mumbai’s Arthur Road Jail, which is in line with the European CPT (Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment). During this period, he will be provided all kinds of facilities including clean water, adequate food and medical facilities, newspapers and TV. In such a situation, he will not have to face solitary confinement.
Choksi accused of fraud of more than 13000 crores
Let us tell you that Mehul Choksi is accused of fraud of more than 95 crore dollars. Choksi has argued in Belgian courts that he had renounced his Indian citizenship on December 14, 2018, after acquiring Antigua and Barbuda citizenship on November 16, 2017. Indian investigators have presented evidence to Belgian prosecutors in connection with six bank frauds worth around ₹13,500 crore allegedly committed by Choksi between 2018 and 2022.
See also: Mehul Choksi’s wife Preeti also trapped! What is the problem of ED?