In a landmark development in the years‑long Mehul Choksi extradition saga, Belgium’s highest court has dismissed the fugitive businessman’s final legal challenge against being returned to India to face trial in the multibillion‑dollar Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case. The ruling by the Court of Cassation — Belgium’s equivalent of a supreme judicial authority — removes one of the last major legal hurdles to Choksi’s extradition and marks a significant breakthrough in cross‑border financial crime enforcement.
The Court of Cassation on Tuesday rejected Choksi’s appeal against the enforceability of India’s extradition request, thereby upholding an earlier order from the Antwerp Court of Appeal that found the extradition legally sound. Authorities say the extradition process is now expected to begin imminently.
A Long Road: From Fugitive to Final Appeal Denial
Mehul Choksi, a diamond trader and former owner of the Gitanjali Group, has been at the centre of one of India’s most notorious white‑collar crime cases. He is accused of orchestrating a Rs 13,000‑crore fraud against the Punjab National Bank through fraudulent financial instruments including Letters of Undertaking (LoUs) and foreign credit facilities.
Choksi fled India in January 2018 — shortly before the PNB scam came to light — and later obtained citizenship of Antigua and Barbuda. His capture in Belgium in April 2025, following an international extradition request by India’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED), marked a significant moment in the pursuit of economic offenders abroad.
After his arrest in Antwerp, Belgian courts progressively rejected Choksi’s bids for bail and relief from extradition, with multiple appeals failing to persuade judges that he faced genuine risks of denial of justice, torture, or inhumane treatment if returned to India.
Legal Rulings and Judicial Findings
| Judicial Stage | Outcome | Key Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| Antwerp District Court | Extradition declared “enforceable” | Arrest warrants from Mumbai special court upheld |
| Antwerp Court of Appeal | Appeal dismissed | No proven risk of unfair trial or torture |
| Court of Cassation | Final appeal rejected | Legal grounds properly applied; no new evidence admissible |
Belgian judges assessed Choksi’s arguments — including claims of political persecution and inadequate prison conditions in India — and found them unsupported by “concretely plausible” evidence. The courts noted that concerns about prison facilities or judicial bias did not constitute valid legal grounds to block extradition under applicable international law.
International Cooperation and Legal Assurance
In its extradition request, Indian authorities provided detailed assurances concerning Choksi’s treatment, health care, and the conditions under which he would be held in Indian custody. These assurances were central to the Belgian judiciary’s confidence that his fundamental rights would be protected upon return.
Experts say the decision sets an important precedent in international legal cooperation on financial crimes and extradition proceedings. India’s pursuit of Choksi — alongside other high‑profile economic fugitives — underscores the increasing willingness of foreign jurisdictions to assist in enforcing transnational criminal justice.
What Comes Next
With the Court of Cassation’s decision now in place, formal extradition procedures are expected to begin shortly. While Choksi has exhausted his judicial avenues in Belgium, some procedural steps may still unfold before his return to India is finalised.
Legal analysts note that once extradited, Choksi will face trial in India for the PNB scam, potentially setting a benchmark for swift prosecution of economic offenders who flee abroad. The case continues to attract global attention as a test of international collaboration in tackling financial crime.
