Mehul Choksi: extradition case and outcome
Mehul Choksi, an Indian jewellery businessman, was arrested in Belgium in April 2025 on an Indian extradition request. The Antwerp Court of Appeal ruled for extradition in October 2025 and Belgium's Court of Cassation rejected his appeal in December 2025. An Indian foreign ministry official said in September 2026 that he remained in a Belgian jail.
Pending Extradition was upheld by Belgium's Court of Cassation in December 2025, but as of 3 September 2026 he remained in custody in Belgium and had not been surrendered to India, according to India's foreign ministry.3,4,1,2
Charges are allegations unless a court has convicted. Each record states what each court or minister decided and the person's public response.
Decisions
- Belgian authoritiesArrested under India's extradition request, according to India's Ministry of External Affairs.2
- Chamber of Indictment, Antwerp Court of AppealRuled in favour of extradition.1
- Court of Cassation of BelgiumRejected his appeal against the extradition, upholding the Antwerp Court of Appeal decision. WION and Outlook reported the decision on 9 and 10 December 2025. The Statesman reported that the court found he failed to establish any legal or factual ground for overturning the extradition orders, and ordered him to pay EUR 104.01 in costs.3,4,1
- Ministry of External Affairs of India (Secretary West Sibi George)Said "he is in the Belgium jail since then", referring to his April 2025 arrest, and that India remained committed to bringing back fugitives, as reported by Republic World.2
What happened next
Not yet extradited as of the latest source read (3 September 2026).2
Response
He argued that his fair trial rights under Article 6 ECHR would be violated, that he had been abducted from Antigua with the involvement of Indian authorities, and that he feared torture and inhuman treatment in Indian prisons. The Court of Cassation said his objections "lacked substance".1
Legal points
- India gave an assurance that he would be held in Barrack No. 12 of Arthur Road Jail in Mumbai, which the Belgian courts relied on in addressing his prison conditions argument.1
- The Court of Cassation dismissed his reliance on a decision of Interpol's Commission for the Control of Files to support his abduction claim.1
Sources
- The Statesman, Belgium's top court clears extradition of Mehul Choksi to India, dismisses his appeal (18 December 2025)
- Republic World, Mehul Choksi Lodged in Belgium Jail, Indian Govt Committed to Extradition of Fugitives: MEA (3 September 2026)
- WION, Top Belgium court denies Mehul Choksi's appeal, extradition process moves forward (9 December 2025)
- Outlook India, Choksi Extradition Likely Soon As Belgium's Top Court Rejects Appeal (10 December 2025)