What’s next for Mehul Choksi as Belgium Court ‘dismisses’ extradition appeal?

1. In a major breakthrough for India’s efforts to bring back fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi, an Antwerp court has ordered his extradition to India and upheld his arrest by Belgian authorities as valid. According to officials, the ruling marks a crucial milestone in the case, even as Choksi retains the right to appeal before a higher court. “The order has come in our favour. The court has termed his arrest by the Belgian authorities on India’s request valid. The first legal step in getting him extradited is now clear,” a senior official said, as per news agency PTI.

Court validates India’s extradition request
On Friday, the Antwerp court heard arguments from both sides – Belgian prosecutors representing India and Choksi’s legal team. After reviewing the evidence, the court ruled that India’s extradition request and the arrest made by Antwerp police were valid. 65-year-old Choksi was detained on April 11 following a request from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and has been in custody in Belgium for over four months. His multiple bail pleas before various Belgian courts have been rejected.