Belgian Court Adjourns Hearing on Mehul Choksi’s Extradition Petition

By Shermain Bique-Charles

Email: [email protected]

The Belgian Court of Appeal has adjourned the hearing regarding a petition filed by fugitive diamond merchant Mehul Choksi, who is contesting his arrest following a request for extradition from India.

Choksi’s latest plea, submitted by his legal team led by Advocate Vijay Aggarwal, claims that Belgian authorities did not follow the proper legal procedures during his arrest.

In his defense, Choksi who is Antiguan and Barbudan by citizenship, argues that the authorities violated his fundamental rights and ignored the principles of natural justice. He is demanding his immediate release, citing serious procedural irregularities that occurred during his apprehension. 

Notably, this request comes shortly after the court denied his bail application in a related case.

In this second appeal, Choksi characterizes the arrest process as arbitrary and unlawful. His previous bail plea was rejected by the Belgian court just last week. The next hearing date has yet to be announced.

The events unfold following Choksi’s arrest in Belgium last month, prompted by an official extradition request from Indian authorities. 

Last week, a three-judge bench ruled against granting him bail after hearing arguments conducted in Dutch.

Vijay Aggarwal, Choksi’s lawyer, expressed disappointment at the bail ruling but noted that Belgian law permits multiple bail applications.

Aggarwal reaffirmed that the legal team plans to challenge Choksi’s extradition based on two key arguments: the political nature of the accusations against him and concerns regarding his medical condition and treatment if extradited to India.

He emphasized that Choksi has been cooperative with Indian investigators, having offered to participate in the ongoing investigation via video conferencing due to health issues.

The legal team had previously highlighted necessary procedural steps for extradition, including the issuance of non-bailable warrants since 2018. Aggarwal recalled that earlier attempts to extradite Choksi from Dominica had proven unsuccessful, and noted that prior to his arrival in Belgium for cancer treatment, Choksi was receiving medical care in Antigua.