Belgian Court Greenlights Choksi's Extradition

A Belgian court has ruled that Mehul Choksi, the fugitive businessman implicated in the Rs 13,000 crore Punjab National Bank fraud, does not face the risk of an unfair trial or mistreatment in India if extradited.

The Court of Appeals in Antwerp, consisting of a four-member indictment chamber, found no issues with previous orders declaring the Mumbai court's arrest warrants against Choksi as enforceable. Despite Choksi's appeal, the court concluded that he failed to present convincing evidence of potential torture or denial of justice.

Choksi's claims of political persecution and unsatisfactory treatment in India were dismissed. The Belgian court referred to insufficient documentation to substantiate his allegations. Officials highlighted the decision as a significant validation of India's extradition request, although Choksi retains the right to appeal in Belgium's Supreme Court.