New Delhi: In a significant boost for Indian agencies, an Antwerp court of appeal has ruled that there is a valid legal basis to extradite fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi to India. The court rejected his allegations that the Indian government abducted him in Antigua and Barbuda in 2021. Choksi has also applied for asylum in Belgium, anticipating an adverse outcome.
The chamber of accusation, part of the Antwerp court of appeal, rendered its advice to the Belgian ministry of justice on April 3, concurring with charges of fraud, criminal conspiracy, and forgery against Choksi. However, it excluded the charge of destruction of evidence, noting that the offence is not punishable under Belgian law.
The court found that there is an applicable legal base for extradition between the Kingdom of Belgium and the Republic of India and that offences including criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, forgery, and corruption-related charges are also punishable under Belgian law, satisfying the requirement of reciprocity.
The final decision rests with justice minister Annelies Verlinden, and the case is currently under analysis. Indian agencies have also received informal indications that Choksi has applied for asylum.
