The legal battle surrounding fugitive diamond trader Mehul Choksi’s extradition to India has reached a critical juncture, with Belgium’s Supreme Court, the Court of Cassation, set to hear his case on December 9, 2025. This follows Choksi’s appeal against an October 17 ruling by the Antwerp Court of Appeal, which upheld India’s extradition request, deeming it “enforceable.” Advocaat-generaal Henri Vanderlinden confirmed the hearing date, emphasizing that the Court of Cassation will only review the legal aspects of the lower court’s decision, such as procedural correctness and application of law, without considering new evidence or facts. The proceedings are primarily written, with parties required to submit their complaints in writing at the time of appeal. Choksi, accused of siphoning ₹6,400 crore in the ₹13,000 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam, fled to Antigua and Barbuda in January 2018 before being spotted in Belgium, where he reportedly sought medical treatment. India’s extradition request, based on arrest warrants issued by a Mumbai special court, was initiated in August 2024. The Antwerp Court of Appeals dismissed Choksi’s claims of facing a “genuine risk” of torture or denial of justice in India, citing India’s assurances regarding his safety, trial conditions, and human rights protections. The court also rejected his assertion of being subjected to a political trial, finding his evidence insufficient. The upcoming Supreme Court hearing represents Choksi’s final legal recourse in Belgium, with the outcome poised to determine his extradition fate.
Belgium’s Supreme Court to hear Mehul Choksi’s appeal against extradition on December 9
