India’s Assurance to Belgium
India has assured Belgian authorities that fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi will not face solitary confinement if extradited. Instead, he will be housed in humane conditions that meet international standards, according to details shared with officials in Brussels.
Choksi, wanted in India in connection with the multi-crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case, is currently lodged in a Belgian prison in Antwerp. His extradition hearing is scheduled for the second week of September, amid increasing diplomatic exchanges between the two countries.
Prison Conditions Detailed
As part of the assurance, Indian authorities said Choksi would be lodged in Barrack No. 12, which is not overcrowded. Officials noted that he would have at least three square metres of personal space, excluding furniture.
The cell will be equipped with basic amenities, including a cotton mattress, pillow, bedsheet, and blanket. A bed may also be provided on medical grounds. Additionally, Choksi will have access to adequate lighting, ventilation, and storage facilities.
India has further assured Belgium that Choksi will receive 24/7 medical care, clean drinking water, and proper toilet and washing arrangements. His cell will remain under round-the-clock monitoring to ensure safety.
Officials also confirmed that Choksi will be given over an hour of daily exercise and recreation and will be served adequate food during his detention.
Arrest and Bail Rejection
Mehul Choksi was arrested in Antwerp this April at the request of Indian authorities. Since then, he has been fighting legal proceedings to prevent his return to India.
Recently, his bail plea was rejected by a Belgian court, which observed that he posed a significant flight risk. Choksi has been lodged in prison since then, awaiting the outcome of the extradition hearing.
The assurances on prison conditions are seen as part of India’s effort to strengthen its case before the Belgian judiciary, which will weigh both legal and humanitarian considerations during the hearing.
Long Battle Against Extradition
Choksi has been fighting extradition since 2018, when he fled India following revelations of his alleged role in the ₹13,500 crore PNB fraud, one of the largest financial scams in the country’s history.
Along with his nephew, diamond merchant Nirav Modi, Choksi is accused of defrauding the state-owned bank using fraudulent letters of undertaking. While Nirav Modi is facing extradition proceedings in the United Kingdom, Choksi’s legal battles have spanned multiple jurisdictions, including Antigua, Dominica, and now Belgium.
His legal team has argued that he faces unfair treatment and inhumane prison conditions if returned to India, a claim New Delhi has repeatedly countered with assurances of compliance with international norms.
India’s Strategy on Extradition
Legal experts suggest that India’s detailed assurance on Choksi’s prison conditions reflects a broader strategy to overcome humanitarian objections often raised in extradition cases.
By highlighting that he will not face solitary confinement and will have access to basic rights, India aims to convince Belgian courts that the fugitive businessman will receive fair treatment.
“This is a standard approach in extradition cases. Human rights arguments are often raised by fugitives. By pre-emptively addressing these concerns, India is making its case stronger,” said a senior legal analyst.
If extradited, Choksi will face trial in India on charges of fraud, criminal conspiracy, and money laundering under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
What Lies Ahead
Choksi’s extradition hearing in Belgium will be a crucial test for Indian authorities, who have faced difficulties in bringing high-profile economic offenders back to the country.
While the assurance on prison conditions may strengthen India’s case, the court will also examine the legal framework, Choksi’s rights as an EU resident, and potential political implications.
For India, the outcome could mark a significant milestone in its pursuit of fugitives accused of large-scale financial crimes. For Choksi, however, it is yet another legal battle in a long line of extradition fights since he fled the country seven years ago.