A Belgian court in Antwerp has actually authorized the extradition of fugitive diamond trader Mehul Choksi to India, ruling that his arrest previously this year was legal. Authorities explained the choice as an essential turning point in India’s efforts to bring him back
A Belgian court in Antwerp has actually authorized the extradition of fugitive diamond trader Mehul Choksi to India, ruling that his arrest by Belgian authorities previously this year was legal.
Authorities explained the choice as a significant advancement in India’s efforts to bring Choksi back, though he keeps the right to interest a greater court. “The very first and really essential phase is cleared,” authorities informed PTI.
On Friday, the Antwerp court heard arguments from both Belgian district attorneys representing India and Choksi’s legal group. After examining the proof, the court ruled that India’s extradition demand and Choksi’s arrest on April 11, 2025, stood. The 65-year-old has actually remained in Belgian custody for over 4 months, and his several bail pleas have actually been declined.
The court kept in mind that Choksi can still appeal the choice, indicating he will not be instantly gone back to India. Authorities called the ruling an essential primary step in the extradition procedure.
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Double criminality and legal basis
Throughout the hearing, the court discovered that the offenses Choksi deals with in India– consisting of criminal conspiracy, unfaithful, criminal breach of trust, damage of proof, and corruption– are likewise punishable under Belgian law, satisfying the “double criminality” requirement under worldwide extradition treaties.
India has actually charged Choksi under a number of areas of the Indian Penal Code– 120B, 201, 409, 420, and 477A– and under Sections 7 and 13 of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The CBI has actually likewise mentioned the UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) and the UN Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC), both of which Belgium has actually validated.
The CBI group has actually checked out Belgium 3 times to send proof and worked with a European law office to help with the extradition procedures.
