Mehul Choksi. (File Photo)
Mehul Choksi’s Extradition Case: Belgium – October 2025 – In a key ruling, the Antwerp Court of Appeal has paved the way for the extradition of Indian businessman Mehul Choksi, rejecting his appeal and upholding an earlier court decision that authorized the execution of two Indian arrest warrants against him. Choksi, who is wanted in India for his alleged involvement in the Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case, now faces the prospect of being sent back to India to face criminal charges.
No Risk of Torture or Unfair Trial
On October 17, 2025, a bench consisting of President D Thys and judges K Lenaers and I Arnauts dismissed Choksi’s appeal, ruling that there is no substantial risk of torture, inhuman or degrading treatment, or an unfair trial if he is extradited to India. This ruling comes after a similar decision by the Antwerp Trial Court in November 2024, which had already declared the Indian arrest warrants executable.
Choksi, who has been fighting extradition from Antigua for years, was facing charges in India related to criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, cheating, forgery, corruption, and misconduct by a public official in connection with the PNB fraud case. The case revolves around an alleged scam worth over ₹13,000 crore (approximately $1.6 billion), in which Choksi is accused of defrauding India’s second-largest public sector bank, Punjab National Bank.
The ruling is seen as a major victory for Indian authorities who have been seeking Choksi’s extradition since his escape from India in 2018, a year after the fraud came to light.
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Choksi’s Defense and the Court’s Findings
Choksi, represented by Advocates John Maes, Simon Bekaert, and Christophe Marchand, argued that his extradition was politically motivated and claimed that he would face a high risk of torture or an unfair trial in India. He also raised concerns about his alleged abduction from Antigua, citing a 2022 decision by INTERPOL’s Commission for the Control of Files (CCF), which had questioned the circumstances of his departure from the Caribbean island.
However, the court rejected these claims. It ruled that there was no evidence to suggest that Choksi was abducted by Indian authorities, noting that the CCF’s decision was not part of the official extradition dossier. The judges found no procedural errors in the handling of the case and concluded that there was no solid proof to support the argument that Choksi’s extradition was politically motivated or that he would face an unfair trial.
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Indian Assurances on Custody Conditions
One of the critical aspects of Choksi’s defense was his concern over his treatment in India, particularly his detention in Arthur Road Prison in Mumbai, a facility known for overcrowding and poor conditions. In response, Indian authorities submitted assurances to the court, promising that Choksi would be held in Barrack No. 12 of the prison, which is equipped with independent sanitation and medical facilities, and that his rights would be protected.
The Antwerp Court accepted these assurances, finding that the conditions of detention would meet the necessary standards. The court further noted that the crimes Choksi is accused of are serious under both Belgian and Indian law, and they are punishable by imprisonment for more than one year, fulfilling the requirements for extradition under the Belgian Extradition Acts of 1833 and 1874, as well as the 1901 Anglo-Belgian Extradition Treaty, which was extended to India in 1954.
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Partial Extradition
While the court upheld the extradition for most of the charges, it did not approve one particular charge—causing the disappearance of evidence—because that offense is not punishable under Belgian law. However, this did not prevent the overall extradition order from being executed.
What’s Next for Mehul Choksi?
The court’s decision is a significant step in the legal battle over Choksi’s return to India. He has now exhausted his legal options in Belgium, and his extradition is expected to proceed unless further appeals are lodged at higher levels. Choksi’s case has drawn widespread attention not just for the scale of the alleged fraud, but also for the dramatic international legal wrangling, including his escape from Antigua to the Caribbean island of Dominica, and his later efforts to resist extradition.
The decision is also a major boost for India’s efforts to hold individuals accountable for economic crimes, especially after the massive PNB fraud, which involved multiple parties and caused significant damage to India’s banking sector.
If extradited, Choksi will face a long legal road ahead in India, where he could face a series of charges related to the PNB scam, potentially leading to years of imprisonment if convicted.
