​Belgian court adjourns hearing on Mehul Choksi’s plea

Fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi who had filed a fresh plea before the Belgian Court of Appeal, seeking relief against India’s request for his extradition and challenging his arrest, faced a fresh setback as the court deferred the hearing.

Choksi, who is wanted in connection with a fraud with Punjab National Bank (PNB), argued that the arrest was unlawful and carried out without following proper legal procedures.

In his latest petition, prepared by his legal team in Belgium, Choksi claimed that his arrest breached due process and violated his fundamental rights.

He asked the court for his immediate release, pointing to several irregularities in the way he was taken into custody. Choksi’s legal representatives submitted this fresh plea stating that the arrest was not only unfair but also went against principles of natural justice. The next hearing date has not yet been announced.

Notably, it was the second time Choksi approached the Belgian court. His first plea, in which he sought bail, was turned down last week. During that hearing, he told the court he was unwell and wished to be with his family. He even offered to wear a GPS tracker if released.

Choksi, a prime accused in the Rs 13,000-crore PNB fraud case, was arrested in Belgium on April 12. His arrest followed a formal extradition request from Indian authorities, including the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate.

The 65-year-old businessman had been residing in Antigua since fleeing India in 2018 when the PNB scam came to light. He had travelled to Belgium last year reportedly for medical treatment before being taken into custody by Belgian authorities. Indian investigative agencies had been pursuing Choksi through international diplomatic and legal channels despite the revocation of his Interpol Red Notice.

India