• Source:JND
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Mehul Choksi Extradition: In a major step toward bringing fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi back to India, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has formally assured the Belgian government that his human rights will be protected if he is extradited. Responding to concerns raised by Belgium over Choksi’s health and legal treatment, Indian officials sent a detailed letter outlining how he would be housed, medically cared for, and legally processed upon his return.

The letter, addressed to Belgium’s Ministry of Justice, includes specific guarantees around living conditions, access to medical care, and legal safeguards aimed at addressing the very issues that have held up the extradition so far. These terms were drawn up in coordination with the Maharashtra government, which would have jurisdiction if Choksi is brought back.

Choksi, wanted in connection with the multi-crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam, was arrested in Belgium earlier this year after Indian authorities formally requested his extradition. His arrest marks a fresh chapter in a long-running legal saga that has spanned continents.

Alongside his nephew Nirav Modi, Choksi is accused of orchestrating one of India’s biggest financial frauds—allegedly using fake documents and fraudulent transactions to siphon off funds from the public sector bank. He’s also reportedly being investigated for other unrelated bank frauds.

After his arrest, Choksi’s legal team moved quickly to fight back. His lawyer, Vijay Aggarwal, said they plan to appeal the court’s decision to deny him bail, pointing to his client’s ongoing battle with cancer and his fragile health. “Deteriorating health and ongoing cancer treatment” were cited as key reasons Choksi should not be kept in custody.

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In a press briefing held in Delhi, Aggarwal laid out the defence’s broader strategy, they’ll argue against extradition on two main fronts that the case is politically driven, and that India’s medical facilities aren’t adequate for Choksi’s condition.

He warned that sending Choksi back could breach his basic rights. “Extradition could violate Choksi’s human rights due to inadequate healthcare and potential political harassment,” Aggarwal said.

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He also challenged the narrative that Choksi has been uncooperative. “Choksi has not been officially declared a fugitive and has cooperated with Indian investigative agencies,” he stated, adding that his client had offered multiple times to participate in proceedings via video call citing his inability to travel.