Belgium Court Approves Mehul Choksi Extradition: Inside the Prison Cell Awaiting PNB Fraud Accused

In 2018, fugitive diamond merchant Mehul Choksi expressed concerns regarding the conditions in Indian jails, claiming they were inadequate.

New Delhi authorities have recently received favorable news regarding Choksi's extradition case. A Belgium court has ruled that there are no legal impediments to his extradition to India, determining that the charges against him are sufficiently serious to warrant such action.

The 66-year-old businessman fled India on January 2, 2018. He faces serious allegations from both the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for allegedly orchestrating a massive fraud against Punjab National Bank (PNB) amounting to Rs 13,850 crore.

When the CBI initially sought an Interpol red corner notice against Choksi in 2018, he opposed the request by claiming that Indian jail conditions were substandard and violated human rights standards.

To counter these claims, detailed architectural plans and interior photographs of Arthur Road Jail were presented to the Belgian court on Tuesday.

These visual materials were specifically included to demonstrate that Choksi would not be held in general prison quarters but instead in a secure, well-ventilated, and properly monitored cell.

The images revealed several key features of the proposed detention facility:

The designated barrack housing Choksi's cell is reinforced with a protective steel structure.

A spacious corridor outside his cell is continuously monitored with round-the-clock police presence.

The cell itself receives abundant natural light through one main entrance, three windows, and five upper ventilators, ensuring proper cross-ventilation.

Interior lighting is adequate, with three ceiling fans providing sufficient air circulation. The cell is also equipped with a television.

An attached bathroom with essential amenities is accessible via a connecting passage from the main cell.

While the Belgian court approved Choksi's extradition to India on Friday, he retains the right to challenge this decision by appealing to the Belgian Supreme Court within a 15-day window.