Antwerp court rejects Mehul Choksi’s appeal, clearing the way for extradition to India in the ₹13,000-cr PNB fraud case; he can still appeal to Belgium’s Supreme Court.
A Belgian court in Antwerp has dismissed Mehul Choksi’s extradition appeal, ruling that his arrest on India’s request was lawful and clearing the first major legal hurdle for his return to face trial in the ₹13,000-crore Punjab National Bank fraud case. The decision marks a significant win for Indian investigators who have pursued Choksi’s return since his arrest in Antwerp in April.
Under Belgian procedure Choksi can file a further appeal to the country’s Supreme Court within the next 15 days; legal officers say an appeal could delay immediate transfer even though the appellate court’s finding is a crucial step toward extradition. If the Supreme Court rejects an appeal or Choksi does not file one, Belgian authorities will set the logistics for handing him over to Indian custody.
The court’s ruling emphasised that Belgian prosecutors found India’s extradition request legally valid and that Choksi’s detention complied with procedural norms — a point New Delhi highlighted after offering assurances about humane prison conditions if he is returned. Officials say the judgment strengthens India’s long-running case tied to alleged Letters of Undertaking and fraudulent transactions that also involved other accused such as Nirav Modi.
Practical next steps include the Belgian Supreme Court window, possible diplomatic coordination for transfer, and formal surrender paperwork before Indian law enforcement can produce Choksi in a Mumbai court. Observers note that while the Antwerp ruling is a breakthrough, extradition timelines often span weeks to months because of legal and logistical complexities. For the PNB probe, an eventual return would allow Indian courts and the CBI to resume trial-related procedures and evidence recovery efforts.
