Cancer Diagnosis May Save Mehul Choksi? Lawyer Plans Appeal for Medical Bail

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Indian businessman Mehul Choksi, accused of defrauding Punjab National Bank (PNB) of Rs 13,850 crore, was arrested in Belgium on Saturday. His lawyer, Vijay Aggarwal, has announced plans to challenge the extradition request, citing concerns over Choksi's human rights, the political nature of the case and his Cancer treatment.

Grounds for Challenging Extradition

Aggarwal stated that the defense team would contest the extradition on two primary grounds:

1. Political Nature of the Case: The case against Choksi is politically motivated and his extradition would be unjust.

 2. Concerns about Human Rights and Medical Treatment: Choksi's human rights would be greatly affected if he is sent back to India, particularly due to his poor health   condition. He is undergoing treatment for Cancer and has permanent deformities and PTSD due to alleged torture during his previous detention.

Choksi's Cooperation with Investigating Agencies

Aggarwal emphasized that Choksi has always been cooperative with Indian authorities and has offered to join investigations via video conferencing due to his health concerns. Despite being implicated in the PNB scam, Choksi has not been declared a fugitive because of his willingness to participate in investigations.

Current Status and Future Plans

Choksi is currently in prison in Belgium, and his legal team plans to file an appeal against the extradition request. During the appeal process, they will request that Choksi be allowed to defend himself while not being in custody. The case has been ongoing for years, and Choksi's legal team remains committed to proving that his extradition would be unjust and harmful to his health.