A Belgian court docket on Friday ordered the extradition of fugitive Mehul Choksi to India, information company PTI reported citing officers. Choksi faces fees associated to the huge Punjab Nationwide Financial institution (PNB) fraud case.“The order has are available our favour. The court docket has termed his arrest by the Belgian authorities on India’s request legitimate. The primary authorized step in getting him extradited is now clear,” a senior official instructed PTI.Officers acknowledged that the order marks a major validation of India’s efforts to safe Mehul Choksi’s extradition, though he nonetheless has the choice to attraction the choice in a better Belgian court docket. Prosecutors argued earlier than the court docket that Choksi poses a flight danger and shouldn’t be launched from custody, the officers instructed PTI. Choksi, who relocated to Belgium in 2023 after leaving Antigua and Barbuda, was arrested there in April following India’s extradition request. He and his nephew Nirav Modi are accused of defrauding the financial institution of over Rs 13,000 crore.India had earlier assured Belgian authorities that if extradited, Choksi could be housed in Barrack No. 12 at Arthur Street jail, Mumbai, with sufficient area and no danger of overcrowding or solitary confinement. The Union dwelling ministry, in a September 4 communique, confirmed that the cell meets the Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Therapy or Punishment (CPT) of Europe’s minimal area requirements.Additionally learn: How India plans to maintain Mehul Choksi in Mumbai jailChoksi fled to Antigua and Barbuda, the place he acquired citizenship, earlier than being apprehended in Belgium. India’s businesses swiftly coordinated to safe his extradition. The cell assigned to Choksi measures roughly 20 by 15 toes, with a separate bathroom, air flow, and safety measures. Inmates obtain every day cleansing, recent water, out of doors train, board video games, yoga periods, and entry to media and telemedicine. Weekly household visits and every day authorized consultations are permitted.
What’s the case in opposition to Mehul Choksi?
Choksi and his nephew Nirav Modi are accused in a Rs 13,000 crore fraud involving fraudulent Letters of Endeavor issued by Punjab Nationwide Financial institution. Nirav Modi, a declared fugitive financial offender, is presently jailed in London and contesting extradition. The CBI’s extradition request cites the UN conventions in opposition to corruption and arranged crime, supported by arrest warrants from Mumbai courts. The fraud concerned PNB issuing 165 LoUs and 58 Overseas Letters of Credit score in 2017 with out limits or correct information, resulting in large losses coated by the financial institution.Authorities allege that loans have been obtained from abroad banks throughout areas together with Mauritius, Hong Kong, Antwerp, and Frankfurt based mostly on these fraudulent ensures. When the businesses didn’t repay, PNB was compelled to pay over Rs 6,300 crore, together with curiosity, to those international banks.