MSN: The extradition process for fugitive diamond merchant Mehul Choksi, who was arrested in Belgium, appears to be gaining momentum, Enforcement Directorate (ED) sources say. According to sources, the Antigua and Barbuda government will not interfere in the ongoing extradition proceedings in Belgium, about which it has informed both Belgian and Indian authorities.
Choksi, the key accused in the ₹13,500 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam, currently holds no citizenship after his Antinguan citizenship was revoked.
“Choksi is a person who currently holds no citizenship of any country in the world. His only identity at this point is that he is of Indian origin. Antigua has clarified that the matter of arrest and extradition falls entirely under Belgium’s jurisdiction, and it will not intervene in any way,” sources said.
Choksi has challenged Antiguan citizenship’s revocation in the High Court of Antigua and Barbuda, arguing that he is a victim of political persecution and that due process was not followed.
ED sources further claimed that Antiguan authorities have clarified to their Indian counterparts that Choksi will not be given any citizenship rights in the Belgian legal process since his citizenship has been officially revoked and judicial proceedings are underway.
Choksi had acquired Antiguan citizenship in 2017 under the country’s investment program. However, it was revoked it in 2023 after the government discovered that he had concealed facts and did not disclose the pending criminal investigations in India and manipulated the process to obtain a second passport.
Meanwhile, Antigua has said that it will neither support nor oppose the extradition efforts being undertaken by Indian authorities in Belgium. Due to this development and Antigua being no longer involved in the matter, which is now under Belgium’s exclusive jurisdiction, it is being anticipated that securing Choksi’s extradition could now be less politically sensitive and will be carried out on the basis of legal cooperation and documentation.
ED also claimed that all possible aspects related to Choksi’s arrest and extradition from Belgium were thoroughly examined before initiating the process.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), after locating Mehul Choksi in Belgium around July or August last year, served as the nodal agency and collaborated with the ED to initiate the extradition process. Thereafter, the Indian authorities submitted a formal extradition request to their Belgian counterparts, acting on an arrest warrant issued by a Mumbai court. A team from a central agency also travelled to Belgium to engage with local officials to ensure there were no legal gaps similar to those that derailed a previous attempt to extradite Choksi from Dominica in 2021.
ED Sources said that Choksi’s legal team will challenge both his arrest and the ongoing extradition proceedings in Belgium. His lawyers are expected to appeal for his release on medical grounds, citing his poor health and ongoing cancer treatment.
They may also present an argument that his current stay in Belgium is solely for advanced treatment and not as a local resident, and that a he was earlier allowed to return to Antigua and Barbuda for specialised medical care by a Dominican court.
As part of his defence strategy, Choksi is likely to cite provisions of the extradition treaty, which mandate that the alleged offence be considered a crime in both the countries. His legal team may also raise human rights concerns, potentially contending that prison conditions in India fall short of international standards and could endanger his health.
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