Brussels (Belgium) [Belgium], December 10 (HBTV): Belgium's Supreme Court (Court of Cassation) has dismissed Mehul Choksi's appeal against the Antwerp Court of Appeal's order permitting his extradition to India, marking a significant development in the long-running case.
Officials confirmed that with the appeal rejected, the extradition order can now proceed once the required formalities are completed.
According to officials who spoke to ANI, Choksi had approached the Court of Cassation on October 30 to challenge the appellate court's October 17 ruling. As the Court of Cassation reviews only legal issues, the appeal was examined and dismissed, leaving the Antwerp Court of Appeal's decision fully intact. This also lifts the temporary suspension on implementing the extradition order.
Earlier, the Antwerp Court of Appeal upheld India's request to extradite Choksi in the Punjab National Bank fraud case, finding that the alleged offences — criminal conspiracy, cheating, embezzlement and forgery — are punishable under Indian law and have corresponding offences under Belgian law, thereby meeting the requirement of dual criminality. One charge related to the disappearance of evidence under Section 201 of the Indian Penal Code was excluded due to the absence of an equivalent offence under Belgian law.
The court also noted that Choksi's claims of political motivation and allegations that he was forcibly taken from Antigua were not supported by the material presented.
Indian authorities provided detailed assurances regarding Choksi's treatment and medical care upon extradition. The court recorded that he would be lodged in Barrack No. 12 of Mumbai's Arthur Road Jail, a facility with private sanitary amenities, and would remain under judicial supervision, with movement allowed only for medical needs or court appearances. The court found no credible indication of potential mistreatment or an unfair legal process.
Choksi, arrested in Antwerp on April 11, 2025, following India's formal extradition request, is accused along with his nephew Nirav Modi in the alleged INR 13,000 crore Punjab National Bank fraud.
With the Court of Cassation rejecting his final legal challenge, Belgian officials told ANI that the country is now positioned to execute the extradition order, bringing India closer to securing his return.
(ANI)