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Belgium's top court has dismissed Mehul Choksi's appeal against his extradition to India. This clears the way for his extradition to India. Choksi is wanted in the PNB scam and has been hiding in various countries for a long time.

Brussels: The Belgian Supreme Court has dismissed fugitive diamond merchant Mehul Choksi's appeal against extradition. This clears the way for his extradition to India. Choksi has been eluding Indian security agencies for several years, often trying to hide in a different country. However, Indian agencies are constantly monitoring him. Choksi holds citizenship of Antigua and Barbuda. He is currently imprisoned in Antwerp prison in Belgium.

The Antwerp court has already delivered its verdict.

The Antwerp Court of Appeal had upheld India's extradition request on October 17, saying the order was "enforceable." Choksi approached the Court of Cassation in October. The appeal court's decision marked one of the last legal hurdles in the long-running extradition process, with Choksi seeking relief from Belgium's highest judicial authority. Mehul had argued in his appeal that he risked torture if sent to India.

Mehul Choksi was arrested at the behest of India

Officials familiar with the matter said this is a positive step for the Indian government and a formal process can now begin in the extradition courts for Choksi's extradition. Choksi, 65, who was arrested on April 11 at India's request and is lodged in a prison in Antwerp, moved the Belgian Court of Cassation on October 30. Indian investigators have accused Choksi of committing six bank frauds between 2018 and 2022, involving a total of approximately ₹13,000 crore.

What is the allegation against Choksi?

Mehul Choksi is a fugitive diamond merchant, the main accused in the Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case of over ₹13,000 crore. He fled India in 2018 and has been trying to evade extradition ever since.

PC:NBT