Mehul choksi extradition: The fugitive diamond businessman Mehul Choksi seems to be getting a big success in India’s attempt to bring back India. ED sources claim that the Antigua and Barbuda governments have informed both Belgium and Indian officials that they will not interfere in the extradition process going on in Belgium.
Sources said, ‘Choksi is a person who does not have citizenship of any country all over the world. At the moment, his identity is that he is only a person of Indian origin. Antigua has made it clear that the case of arrest and extradition comes completely under the jurisdiction of Belgium and will not interfere in any way.
Choksi has given a challenge to cancel citizenship in court
Choksi has challenged the cancellation of his Antigua’s citizenship in the High Court of Antigua and Barbuda, claiming that he is a victim of political oppression and did not follow the appropriate process. ED sources have also claimed that Antigua officials have made it clear to the Indian counterparts that since its citizenship has been officially canceled and judicial proceedings are underway, he will not be given any civil rights in Belgian court proceedings.
How did Choksi get Antigua’s citizenship?
Let us know that Choksi, the main accused in the 13,500 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam, received citizenship of Antigua in 2017 through the country’s investment program. However, the Antigua government canceled his citizenship in 2023, citing the facts hiding the facts and not giving proper information about its criminal background while processing citizenship.
According to ED sources, Choksi’s decision to cancel citizenship came when Antigua and Barbuda officials concluded that he had allegedly failed to disclose his pending criminal investigation in India and he had manipulated in the appropriate process while obtaining a second passport.
Antigua government has its neutral stand
The Antigua government has taken a neutral stance. Antigua has indicated that it will neither support nor oppose the extradition being done by Indian authorities in Belgium. Being out of Antigua and now the case completely under the jurisdiction of Belgium, the way to secure the extradition of Choksi can be politically less sensitive and more dependent on legal cooperation and documentation.
Appeal for extradition to Belgian officials
The ED also claims that before starting the process, all possible aspects related to the arrest and extradition of Mehul Choksi in Belgium were thoroughly investigated. Last year, the Nodal Authority CBI took further action in this case only after Choksi was found out in Belgium around July-August. Belgian officials were sent an extradition request on the basis of arrest warrant issued by a Mumbai court. After this, a team of central agencies went to interact with local authorities and to ensure that there was no legal flaws, such as in 2021, in the previous attempt to bring Choksi back from Dominica.
Mehul Choksi can cite cancer treatment
Sources also further stated that Mehul Choksi’s legal team is now preparing to challenge both his arrest and extradition proceedings going on in Belgium. It is expected that his lawyers will file an appeal for his release on medical grounds citing his poor health and ongoing cancer treatment. According to him, the Dominica court had previously allowed Choksi to return to Antigua and Barbuda for special medical care and his current migration in Belgium was only for advanced treatment – not as a resident or member of the local community.
Now what are the obstacles in Choksi’s extradition?
The provisions of the extradition treaty in defense of Choksi are also expected to implement, according to which the alleged crime should be recognized as a crime in both countries. Additionally, the legal challenge may include human rights concerns, in which the team may argue that gel conditions in India do not meet international standards and this may threaten their health.
