Mehul Choksi in BIG trouble, India takes huge step after which even Belgian government can’t stop his extradition
India's Home Ministry has assured Belgium of the conditions of detention on the extradition of Mehul Choksi. At the same time, Choksi's lawyer had opposed the extradition on the basis of concerns about health and political persecution.
India(BHARAT) has given a concrete assurance to the Belgian government regarding the extradition of fugitive diamond merchant Mehul Choksi, the main accused in the loan scam of thousands of crores of rupees in Punjab National Bank (PNB). The Home Ministry has written a letter to the Belgian Ministry of Justice, giving detailed details of the conditions of detention keeping in mind the protection of Choksi’s human rights and his health. This step has been taken amid the ongoing legal process of extradition in Belgium, where Choksi was arrested in April 2025.
Home Ministry’s letter to Belgium
In a letter dated September 4, 2025, the Home Ministry said that if Mehul Choksi is extradited to India(BHARAT), he will be kept in Barrack No. 12 of Arthur Road Jail in Mumbai. The following assurances are given in the letter:
- Choksi will be given at least 3 square metres of personal space (excluding furniture) in custody.
- A clean thick cotton mattress, pillow, bedsheet and blanket will be available in their cell. If medically necessary, a metal or wooden bed can also be provided.
- There will be adequate light and air in the cell, and there will also be space to keep personal belongings.
- Choksi will have access to clean drinking water and adequate medical facilities 24 hours a day.
- They will be provided with clean toilet and bathing facilities daily.
- Choksi will be allowed out of the cell for a reasonable amount of time every day for exercise and recreation.
- They will be provided adequate food during detention.
In fact, these assurances have been prepared after consultation with the Maharashtra government, so that the human rights related questions raised by Belgium in the extradition process can be answered.
Mehul Choksi, kingpin of PNB scam
Mehul Choksi and his nephew Nirav Modi are accused of a loan scam of more than Rs 13,500 crore in PNB. In this scam, both of them allegedly committed fraud through fake Letter of Undertaking (LOU) in connivance with some bank officials of Brady House branch in Mumbai. Apart from this, Choksi is also being investigated in cases of fraud with many other banks.
After fleeing India(BHARAT) in 2018, Choksi was living in Antigua and Barbuda, from where he reportedly went to Belgium for cancer treatment. In April 2025, he was arrested by the Belgian police on a formal request from India(BHARAT).
What was Choksi’s legal strategy?
Choksi’s lawyer Vijay Aggarwal has announced to appeal after his bail plea was rejected. At a press conference in Delhi, Aggarwal gave two main reasons for opposing extradition:
Political conspiracy claim: Aggarwal says the case is politically motivated and Choksi will not get a fair trial in India(BHARAT).
Story highlights:
- Mehul Choksi, under legal proceedings, after April arrest in Belgium
- Choksi, accused in loan scam of over Rs 13,500 crore
- India(BHARAT)n Home Ministry to keep fugitive in Mumbai’s jail, if extradited
- Mehul’s lawyer says case against Mehul is politically motivated
What are the Health concerns of the fugitive?
Choksi is reportedly undergoing treatment for cancer and his lawyer claims he will not receive proper medical facilities in India(BHARAT).
Aggarwal said Choksi has not been officially declared a fugitive and has offered to cooperate with India(BHARAT)n investigative agencies. He said Choksi has expressed his willingness to join the investigation through video conferencing due to his health condition. Also, the lawyer pointed out procedural flaws, referring to the non-bailable warrant issued since 2018 and the first failed extradition attempt in Dominica.
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