Indian Diamond deal Mehul Choksi
A Belgian appeals court has approved the extradition of fugitive diamond trader and Antigua and Barbuda citizen Mehul Choksi to India, in a major development in the ₹13,000 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case.
The ruling, handed down on October 17, 2025, by the Court of Appeals in Antwerp, upheld the legality of India’s request and validated Choksi’s arrest and continued detention. The 65-year-old businessman, who was arrested in Belgium in April this year, remains in custody after repeated bail applications were rejected on grounds that he poses a significant flight risk.
Choksi now has 15 days to appeal the ruling before Belgium’s Supreme Court.
Belgian prosecutors confirmed that India’s extradition request met all legal standards, including the principle of dual criminality, which ensures that the offences are punishable under both Belgian and Indian law. The court reviewed extensive documentation and evidence presented by India’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Ministry of Home Affairs, outlining Choksi’s alleged role in a massive bank fraud, conspiracy, and corruption scheme.
Choksi’s defense team argued that he should not be extradited because he had renounced his Indian citizenship after becoming a citizen of Antigua and Barbuda. However, Indian authorities produced records asserting that Choksi remains legally accountable under Indian law, disputing his claim of citizenship renunciation.
Choksi, along with his nephew Nirav Modi, is accused of defrauding Punjab National Bank of over ₹13,000 crore (approximately US$950 million) through a series of fraudulent Letters of Undertaking and credit guarantees issued in 2017.
Investigators allege that Choksi personally diverted more than ₹6,400 crore and used a web of companies and international banking links in Mauritius, Hong Kong, Antwerp, and Frankfurt to carry out the fraud.
After the scam was uncovered in early 2018, Choksi fled India, settling first in the United States and later in Antigua and Barbuda, where he obtained citizenship under the country’s Citizenship by Investment Programme. He moved to Belgium in 2023, where he was arrested two years later.
As part of the extradition proceedings, Indian officials submitted detailed guarantees regarding Choksi’s treatment once returned to India. They assured Belgian authorities that he would be held at Mumbai’s Arthur Road Jail under conditions that meet international human rights standards, including adequate medical care, proper diet, humane living conditions, and no solitary confinement.
Indian authorities have welcomed the court’s ruling, describing it as a major diplomatic and legal success. The CBI said the decision demonstrates the “strength of international cooperation in the pursuit of justice.”
The verdict also underscores the Indian government’s ongoing efforts to bring back economic offenders who have fled the country to evade prosecution.
Choksi’s lawyers are expected to file an appeal in Belgium’s Supreme Court, which could delay his return. However, legal experts believe the Antwerp ruling represents a significant step forward in India’s efforts to hold him accountable.
If the appeal is dismissed, Mehul Choksi could be extradited to India within months, ending years of legal wrangling and marking a major victory in one of the country’s largest-ever financial fraud cases.
This extradition is not valid, I’m not siding with Choksi, but it is clear that Antigua is not protecting its citizen. One should seriously think twice before applying for citizenship status in Antigua, I have family who are citizens of that beautiful Island and it has always been my intention to move to Antigua. I am retired, and have been so for a number of years, but I can safely say for now, this Island is totally off my radar. Dominica, Barbados and a couple others are definitely on my radar.
Aren’t we protecting our fraudulent politicians enough? How much more people should we protect my dear? He’s in a big fraud case and we shall protect him? Antigua should careful who it’s giving our citizenship too but greed will never let people settle. He deserve it all. He called it upon himself. Antigua should be cutting ties not protecting him. Antigua.news and all these other news outlets should stop saying this man is a citizen of Antigua and Barbuda.
This case is a merry go round in itself. I’m tired of hearing about this
Insquistor, had Antigua carried out its due deligence in the first instance, he should not have been given an Antigua passport in the first instance.
If he is so innocent why not go back and face the courts? Why continually try to avoid Indian Justice?
Well, it looks like Choksi’s long game might finally be over. After years of legal wrangling and delays, justice could be catching up with him. Let’s see if he actually makes it back to India this time
Good. If he’s guilty, he should face the consequences like anyone else.
Why didn’t this man just stay in Antigua and fly in his specialist to lok after him. Doesn’t he trust the medical care in the country he bought citizenship for?
About time! Choksi thought he could hide behind his Antigua passport and fancy lawyers forever, but justice has a long reach. He embarrassed this country and used our citizenship as a shield. Now the truth catching up let him face the music in India
He’s an old man with health problems. I’m not saying he’s innocent, but there’s no need to treat him like a dangerous criminal. If he has to go back to India, at least make sure he gets fair treatment.
Finally This man has been running from justice for years. Antigua’s name got dragged into his mess, and now it looks like accountability is catching up. No one should be above the law, no matter how rich or connected.
Good riddance. Choksi used Antigua and Barbuda as a hiding spot and made our country look bad internationally. This ruling is a step toward cleaning up our image and showing we don’t protect fugitives