Mehul Choksi’s Extradition To India Stalled As Belgium Says Case Still Under Review.
The extradition of fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi to India remains in limbo, four months after an Antwerp court backed his extradition, with the Belgian government yet to take a final decision on his repatriation.
A spokesperson for Belgium’s justice minister said the case was “still under examination”, stressing that the Antwerp court’s April ruling was advisory and did not amount to a final decision on the extradition request.
“The decision issued by the Indictment Chamber of the Antwerp Court of Appeal in April was an advisory opinion and did not constitute a final decision on the extradition request,” Sharon Beavis, spokesperson for the Belgian justice minister, said. She added that no further information could be provided while the matter remained under review.
INDIA QUESTIONS DELAY
Indian officials have expressed concern over the delay, maintaining that authorities had presented substantial evidence against Choksi and that the Antwerp court had already found a legal basis for his extradition.
“In any extradition case, the final decision is ultimately of the government of that country. We are waiting for the Belgian government to approve his extradition,” an Indian official said on condition of anonymity.
ANTWERP COURT BACKED EXTRADITION
On April 3, the Antwerp Court of Appeal issued its advisory opinion on India’s extradition request concerning allegations of fraud, criminal conspiracy and forgery committed in India between December 31, 2016, and January 1, 2019.
The court also rejected Choksi’s argument that the extradition proceedings were politically motivated.
The ruling followed India’s request to have Choksi returned to face criminal proceedings over alleged financial offences.
CHOKSI REMAINS IN ANTWERP CUSTODY
Choksi, 67, remains in a prison in Antwerp after being arrested on April 11 last year at India’s request.
Indian investigators have accused him of involvement in multiple bank fraud cases, with the alleged financial irregularities running into nearly ₹13,000 crore.
India’s extradition request cited several provisions of the Indian Penal Code, including those relating to criminal conspiracy, destruction of evidence, criminal breach of trust, cheating and falsification of accounts. It also invoked provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Indian authorities relied on the principle of dual criminality, arguing that the alleged offences are also recognised as crimes under Belgian law.
The extradition request additionally invoked the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the United Nations Convention against Corruption.
With the Antwerp court’s advisory opinion already issued, the next decisive step rests with the Belgian government, which has yet to announce whether it will approve Choksi’s extradition to India.
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