In a major breakthrough for Indian authorities, a court in Antwerp, Belgium, has rejected fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi&rsquo;s appeal against extradition, paving the way for his possible return to India. 
The court upheld the validity of his arrest by Belgian authorities based on India&rsquo;s request, according to reports.
The decision marks a significant development in the case involving Choksi, who is wanted in connection with the ₹13,000 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud&mdash;one of India&rsquo;s largest banking scams. 
The fraud was allegedly carried out in collusion with his nephew Nirav Modi, who remains in a London prison while facing separate extradition proceedings.
Of the total defrauded amount, the CBI&rsquo;s chargesheet accuses Choksi of siphoning off ₹6,400 crore.
Choksi was arrested in Belgium on April 11, following India&rsquo;s extradition request. 
His appeal was heard by the Court of Appeals in Antwerp in September.&nbsp;
The ruling now stands as a setback for Choksi, who has consistently tried to evade extradition by claiming foreign citizenship.
During the proceedings, India presented extensive evidence of fraud, diversion of funds, and Choksi&rsquo;s efforts to escape the legal process. 
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) dispatched teams to Belgium multiple times and even engaged a private European law firm to strengthen the case.
To address human rights concerns raised during the trial, the Indian government assured Belgian authorities that Choksi would be lodged at Barrack No. 12 of Arthur Road Jail in Mumbai, which complies with European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) standards. 
India guaranteed he would receive clean drinking water, adequate food, medical care, access to newspapers and television, and the freedom to choose private medical treatment&mdash;without being placed in solitary confinement.
India also emphasized that Choksi remains an Indian citizen, wanted for defrauding banks of more than $950 million, rejecting his claim of Antiguan nationality. 
Choksi maintains that he relinquished his Indian citizenship on December 14, 2018, after obtaining Antigua and Barbuda citizenship in November 2017.
Indian investigators have already submitted documentary evidence of six separate bank frauds allegedly committed by Choksi between 2018 and 2022, amounting to nearly ₹13,000 crore. 
Belgian prosecutors have reportedly been convinced that there is a significant risk of him fleeing the country.
What Happens Next?
According to officials familiar with the case, Choksi still has the option to challenge the Antwerp court&rsquo;s decision in a higher court.&nbsp;
While this could delay his return to India, the rejection of his appeal marks a crucial first step toward his eventual extradition.

Mehul Choksi facing extradition after Belgium verdict

Antwerp court rejects Mehul Choksi’s appeal, paving way for his extradition to India soon

Belgium Court Clears Choksi’s Extradition

Antwerp court rejects Mehul Choksi’s appeal, paving way for his extradition to India soon

October 18, 2025 | 12:14 IST