India Gears Up to Extradite Fugitive Mehul Choksi, CBI-ED Team to Be Dispatched Soon
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Punjab National Bank scam accused and fugitive diamond trader Mehul Choksi has been arrested in Belgium. After this arrest, the efforts to bring him to India have intensified. A joint team of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) will soon leave for Belgium to pursue the extradition process.
The Indian Express quoted sources as saying that after Choksi's arrest, top officials of the CBI and ED held meetings and discussed the future strategy. As per the plan, a joint team of two to three officials of both the investigating agencies will go to Belgium with their legal advisors. This team will prepare the documents required for extradition and coordinate with the local government so that Choksi can be brought to India as soon as possible.
However, Choksi's return to India will not be easy. His lawyer Vijay Aggarwal has indicated that he will challenge the extradition. Aggarwal told news agency ANI that the process of filing an appeal against the arrest has been started and bail will be sought on medical grounds. The lawyer claims that Choksi is undergoing cancer treatment in Belgium and his health condition is not such that he can flee.
It is worth noting that about six months ago, ED had sent a request for Choksi's extradition to the Belgian government, on which action has been taken now. Choksi has been using legal tactics earlier as well. He has also got the Red Corner Notice issued against him by Interpol dismissed. He had alleged that Indian officials had tried to kidnap him from Antigua, where he has citizenship.
India has strong evidence against Choksi, but his extradition will depend on the decision of the Belgian courts. Lawyer Vijay Aggarwal has cited the businessman Sanjay Bhandari case to say that Choksi's extradition may be difficult. A London court had ruled against Bhandari's extradition, citing the poor condition of Indian jails and human rights. Now it will be important to see what stance the Belgian courts take on the condition of Indian jails.
According to reports, Mehul Choksi came to Belgium in 2023 and his wife also has citizenship of the same country. The Belgian police arrested him on April 12 on the request of Indian agencies.
