Following the arrest of fugitive diamond trader Mehul Choksi in Belgium, senior Congress leader TS Singh Deo has called for his prompt extradition to India, emphasizing the importance of bringing economic offenders to justice.
“Those who have committed crimes in India and are getting protection in other countries should be extradited,” said Singh Deo, the former Deputy Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh.
“Such people must not be allowed to hide under the legal protections of foreign countries after looting public money.”
Choksi, wanted in connection with the Rs 13,850 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam, was arrested by Belgian authorities on April 12, confirmed the Belgian Federal Public Service of Justice. The Indian government has formally submitted an extradition request to Belgium.
Meanwhile, former CBI Director AP Singh acknowledged the gravity of the task ahead for Indian authorities. Speaking to media, Singh recalled the complexity of extraditing individuals from European Union nations, citing Abu Salem as the last successful case — nearly two decades ago.
“We now need to present all the evidence of Choksi’s involvement in the scam. The Belgian courts will examine whether he will get a fair trial in India and whether our prison conditions meet international standards,” said Singh.
“He may argue for legal protection in Belgium, especially since his wife is a Belgian citizen. These are the kind of hurdles we have to address carefully.”
Choksi, who fled India in January 2018, first obtained Antiguan citizenship and later reportedly moved to Belgium for cancer treatment. Indian authorities have long pursued his extradition, but previous efforts — notably from Dominica and Antigua — have failed due to legal and diplomatic setbacks.
The CBI and Enforcement Directorate (ED) have accused Choksi and his nephew Nirav Modi of fraudulently obtaining Letters of Undertaking (LoUs) from PNB between 2014 and 2017, causing a massive financial loss to the public sector bank.
While Choksi’s legal team in Belgium prepares to challenge the extradition on health grounds and claim that he is not a flight risk, political and investigative leaders in India continue to press for a decisive legal victory that brings the fugitive back to face trial.