Mehul Choksi files fresh plea, accuses Belgian authorities of violating natural justice

Fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi has filed a new petition with the Belgian Court of Appeal, seeking relief from India's request for his extradition. He also accused Belgian officials of breaking the norms of natural justice. Choksi alleged in his most recent petition, which was authored by Advocate Vijay Aggarwal and submitted by his Belgian legal team, that Belgian officials failed to follow specified legal procedures during his detention, according to news agency ANI.

He claimed that officials not only ignored due process but also violated his fundamental rights, infringing on natural justice principles. Choksi demanded immediate release, citing flaws in the arrest proceedings. The judge, however, postponed the hearing on his appeal to challenge his arrest. The development comes just days after the Belgian Court of Appeal rejected the fugitive diamond merchant's bail appeal.

Choksi and his nephew Nirav Modi are main defendants in the ₹13,500 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) scandal. It is believed that the two obtained overseas credit or loans from Indian institutions by using false Letters of Undertaking (LoU).