NEW DELHI: A Belgian court docket of appeals has as soon as once more denied bail to fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi, a key accused within the multi-crore rupee Punjab Nationwide Financial institution (PNB) mortgage fraud case. The choice comes simply days earlier than his extradition listening to, scheduled for mid-September. Sources point out that the court docket was persuaded by arguments from India’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which emphasised Choksi’s historical past of evading authorized proceedings throughout a number of jurisdictions. The CBI submitted that if granted bail, Choksi posed a big flight danger and will doubtlessly flee to a different nation.
Choksi was arrested in Belgium in April following a proper request from Indian authorities. He and his nephew, Nirav Modi, are the first accused within the PNB fraud case, which entails fraudulent transactions. Along with this case, Choksi is reportedly wished in reference to a number of different unrelated financial institution fraud investigations.
His Indian counsel, Vijay Aggarwal, was seen in Antwerp forward of the bail listening to and visited Choksi in custody in April. Following the arrest, Aggarwal introduced plans to attraction the court docket’s resolution, citing Choksi’s deteriorating well being and ongoing most cancers therapy. “My consumer is at present in custody. We intend to file an attraction, stressing his medical situation and the truth that he poses no flight danger,” Aggarwal informed ANI.
At a press convention in Delhi, Aggarwal outlined the defence’s technique to oppose extradition on two main grounds: the politically motivated nature of the case and considerations over Choksi’s medical therapy in India. He argued that extradition may violate Choksi’s human rights attributable to insufficient healthcare and potential political harassment.
Aggarwal emphasised that Choksi has not been formally declared a fugitive and has cooperated with Indian investigative companies. He famous that Choksi has repeatedly provided to take part in investigations through video conferencing, citing his incapability to journey attributable to well being points. “He’s keen to affix the investigation nearly. A number of purposes have been submitted to facilitate this, however his medical situation prevents him from returning to India,” Aggarwal added.
The defence additionally highlighted procedural necessities for extradition, together with the issuance of non-bailable warrants relationship again to 2018. Aggarwal referenced earlier failed extradition makes an attempt from Dominica and famous that Choksi had been receiving most cancers therapy in Antigua earlier than travelling to Belgium.
Choksi faces expenses underneath varied sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), together with legal conspiracy, dishonest, and falsification of accounts, in addition to provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act. These offences are additionally recognised as crimes underneath Belgian legislation, thereby enabling the appliance of the twin criminality clause of the extradition treaty in India’s request for his extradition.
Moreover, the CBI has cited the United Nations Conference in opposition to Transnational Organised Crime (UNTOC) and the United Nations Conference in opposition to Corruption (UNCAC) to strengthen its extradition plea.