India Reveals Details Of Mehul Choksi’s Future Cell
In a strategic move to counter fugitive jeweller Mehul Choksi’s claims about unsafe and unhygienic prison conditions, India has submitted photographs and architectural drawings of Barrack No. 12 at Mumbai’s high-security Arthur Road Jail to Belgian authorities. The submission aims to demonstrate that the facility meets international standards for security and human rights compliance.
The detailed report, titled “Prison Conditions Barrack 12, Arthur Road Prison, Mumbai”, comprises six technical sheets prepared by the Central Public Works Department (CPWD). These documents include interior photographs, 3D renderings, and design blueprints of the refurbished cell that will house Choksi once extradited to India.
Officials say the move is part of India’s formal affidavit before the Belgian Court, where Choksi continues to contest his extradition. He has cited alleged threats to his life and concerns about India’s prison infrastructure as grounds to resist being sent back.
Architectural Plans Emphasize Comfort And Safety
According to the CPWD documents, Barrack No. 12 spans about 46.5 square metres (approximately 500 sq. ft.), divided into a main room, passage, wash area, and toilet. The facility includes ventilated windows with mosquito netting, grilled doors for security, CCTV surveillance, and ceiling fans for ventilation.
The cell also features tube lights, PVC flooring, and tiled walls to ensure hygiene and easy maintenance. A wash basin and shower with running water have been installed to meet basic living standards. Moreover, a mobile jammer is positioned at beam level, and a CCTV camera near the ventilator provides constant monitoring.
Indian officials have stressed that the barrack has been freshly renovated and equipped with modern amenities to comply with international detention standards. The emphasis is on ensuring that Choksi is held in a secure, clean, and monitored environment, separate from the overcrowded general wards.
Technical Sheets Prepared Under Senior Supervision
The architectural sheets, dated June 5, 2025, were signed by Shailja Sakharkar (Architect) and D. Roychowdhury (Chief Engineer, CPWD, Mumbai-I). Each sheet bears the official CPWD seal and was produced under the supervision of the Chief Engineer’s office at Pratishtha Bhavan, M.K. Road, Mumbai.
The documentation includes 3D visuals of the barrack’s layout, highlighting the cell’s modern design and hygiene standards. The Indian government aims to use these visuals to dispel any doubts raised by Choksi’s legal team regarding the conditions of Indian prisons.
Officials added that India’s submission reinforces its commitment to upholding international human rights norms in custodial environments, particularly in high-profile extradition cases.
Background: Choksi’s Ongoing Legal Battle
Mehul Choksi, wanted in connection with the ₹13,500 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam, has been living in Antigua and Barbuda since 2018 after allegedly fleeing India. He was later granted citizenship there and has since fought legal battles to avoid extradition.
Choksi’s lawyers have consistently argued that returning to India would endanger his life, pointing to alleged threats and poor prison facilities. The latest submission by Indian authorities is a direct response to these claims, aimed at assuring the Belgian judiciary of Choksi’s safety if extradited.
Sources indicate that Belgium, where Choksi reportedly holds a business interest and is currently fighting the extradition case, requested detailed documentation of his potential detention environment before taking a final decision.
India Strengthens Its Extradition Case
By providing high-resolution photos and detailed architectural plans, India seeks to demonstrate transparency and adherence to United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (Nelson Mandela Rules).
The move may strengthen India’s case by proving that Arthur Road Jail’s Barrack No. 12 is a secure, well-maintained, and monitored facility. Officials said the barrack’s conditions are on par with international custodial standards, making Choksi’s objections “baseless and exaggerated.”
Moreover, the Government of India’s affidavit reportedly asserts that Choksi’s safety and medical needs will be fully addressed upon extradition. The documentation, experts believe, could accelerate the court’s decision-making process and bring Choksi one step closer to facing trial in India.