Mehul Choksi is an accused in the PNB scam and is currently in a Belgian jail. The Indian government has assured Belgium of his safe custody and facilities upon extradition. The hearing is scheduled for the second week of September.
Mehul Choksi News: Mehul Choksi's name is associated with one of India's largest banking scams. He is an accused in the Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam involving ₹13,000 crore. His nephew, Nirav Modi, is also a key accused in this case.
Nirav Modi is currently lodged in a London jail and is opposing his extradition to India. Both are accused of issuing fraudulent Letters of Undertaking (LoUs) in collusion with certain officials of the PNB's Brady House branch in Mumbai and siphoning off a large sum of money abroad.
Following his arrest in Belgium, the Indian government has initiated the process of Choksi's extradition. A recent letter from the Union Home Ministry to the Belgian government detailed the conditions under which Mehul Choksi would be held if extradited to India.
Assurances Given by the Indian Government to Belgium
The Indian government, in a letter to Belgium's Minister of Justice, has assured that Mehul Choksi will not be kept in solitary confinement. Instead, he will be housed in Barrack No. 12, which is not overcrowded. In this barrack, Choksi will be provided with arrangements for security and monitoring.
The letter also stated that Choksi will be allocated a personal space of at least 3 square meters within the barrack. Facilities such as furniture, a mattress, pillow, bedsheet, and blanket will be provided in the barrack. If necessary, a bed facility will also be provided for medical reasons.
Daily Amenities
Mehul Choksi will be provided with clean drinking water, adequate food, and round-the-clock medical facilities daily. He will be given daily access to toilet and bathing facilities. Additionally, he will be allowed at least one hour of exercise and recreation daily.
Choksi will also have adequate lighting, ventilation, and space to keep personal belongings in the barrack. The objective of these arrangements is to ensure that his custody in jail is in accordance with human rights and international standards.
Extradition Process to India
The Indian government has maintained continuous contact with Belgium for Choksi's extradition. Belgium arrested Mehul Choksi in April this year based on India's request. He has been in custody at the Antwerp jail since then.
According to sources, the hearing for Mehul Choksi's extradition to India is scheduled for the second week of September. The Indian side has assured the Belgian government that Choksi's custody will be safe, secure, and under appropriate conditions after extradition.
