Belgium's court had approved the extradition of fugitive diamond trader Mehul Choksi to India. However, Mehul Choksi went to court opposing this approval. He had filed an appeal requesting not to be extradited to India. But Belgium's court dismissed his appeal. According to news agency sources, Belgium's Supreme Court issued this order on Tuesday.
Mehul Choksi was arrested in April itself. He faces allegations of being involved in the Punjab National Bank loan fraud case. Mehul Choksi was arrested in Belgium at India's extradition request.
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Mehul Choksi faces allegations of embezzling approximately ₹13,550 crore. After initiatives were taken to arrest him, he left India. Before coming to Belgium, he was in Antigua and Barbuda. Mumbai's court had issued arrest warrants against him twice. Mehul Choksi had been a fugitive since January 2018.
According to PTI sources, Brussels Advocate General Henri Vanderlinden has informed that the country's Supreme Court has dismissed Mehul Choksi's appeal. The court has upheld the previous verdict. Mehul had also claimed that his arrest was illegal. However, the court has stated that the arrest was legal.
Mehul had claimed that his life could be at risk if sent to India. He also mentioned his physical illness. However, on October 17 this year, Antwerp's court had stated that there would be no problem for Mehul if extradited to India. The court also termed India's request for Choksi's extradition as reasonable.
