Belgian court approves Mehul Choksi’s extradition to India

ByEnigma 808

A court in Antwerp has approved the extradition of Mehul Choksi, a fugitive diamond merchant, to India, allowing him to face charges in one of the country’s largest banking scams. Choksi, accused of masterminding a Rs 13,000 crore fraud at Punjab National Bank (PNB), has 15 days to appeal the decision to Belgium’s Supreme Court.

Choksi was arrested in April after India’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) requested his extradition. Belgian prosecutors argued that his crimes, including cheating and corruption, are punishable under Belgian law. India presented evidence, including details of fraudulent bank transactions, to strengthen its case.

A key issue was Choksi’s citizenship, with India claiming he is still an Indian citizen. The Ministry of Home Affairs assured that he would be treated humanely if extradited. This decision marks a significant step in the ongoing pursuit of Choksi, who fled India in 2018 amid the PNB scandal.

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    Besides writing and being a content creator, Enigma 808 sometimes likes to watch paint dry on walls, listening to ASMR while timing snails racing. Such is life.