Belgium's Department of Justice Confirms Choksi’s Arrest, India Submits Extradition Request
Defense team would challenge the extradition on two primary grounds: the political nature of the case and concerns about Choksi’s health.
Belgium's Department of Justice Confirms Choksi’s Arrest, India Submits Extradition Request, Latest News:
Belgium's Department of Justice confirmed the arrest of absconder Mehul Choksi on April 12, 2025, in a statement to NDTV. Choksi is currently under detention, and India has formally submitted an extradition request for him.
"The Belgian Federal Public Service of Justice can confirm that Mr. Mehul Choksi was arrested on Saturday, April 12, 2025. He is being detained in anticipation of further judicial proceedings. Access to his legal counsel has been assured," said the Belgian Federal Public Service of Justice to NDTV.
However, they declined to provide further details, citing standard operating procedures (SOPs) for The 65-year-old is wanted for allegedly defrauding Punjab National Bank (PNB) of over Rs. 13,850 crore through fake letters of credit and Foreign Letters of Credit from PNB. His nephew, Nirav Modi, is also allegedly involved in the fraud.
Choksi allegedly conspired with his associates, including other PNB officials, from 2014 to 2017. He is accused of fraudulently obtaining Letters of Undertaking and Foreign Letters of Credit from PNB, leading to an alleged loss of Rs. 6,097.63 crore to the bank, according to NDTV.
Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal described the arrest as "a matter of pride for India."
While Choksi has been arrested, experts believe the extradition process could take up to a year. There is also the possibility that the Belgian court may deny his extradition, citing human rights concerns, his health condition, and the poor conditions in Indian jails. Choksi is reported to be suffering from blood cancer.
There have been instances where extradition has been rejected on similar grounds.
Former diplomat KP Fabian cited the recent example of the extradition of 26/11 Mumbai terror accused Tahawur Rana, which took 17 years.
Vijay Aggarwal, the business lawyer representing Choksi in the PNB fraud case, stated that his client's human rights would be significantly impacted if he were extradited to India. Aggarwal made it clear that the defense team would challenge the extradition on two primary grounds: the political nature of the case and concerns about Choksi’s health and treatment conditions in India.
"That's a procedure. Basically, we will be defending it on two grounds: it is a political case, and secondly, because of the human condition in India," Mr. Aggarwal said.
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