India renews Choksi extradition push

India has once again made it clear that it wants fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi returned to the country to face legal proceedings in connection with the Rs 13,500-crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case. On Thursday, Ministry of External Affairs Secretary (West) Sibi George said India remains firmly committed to bringing fugitives back to the country and ensuring that they face the judicial process. “Law enforcement cooperation is a very important topic of discussion and also a very important aspect of our relationship with Belgium. All issues of concern and interest are discussed at all levels of our engagement,” George said.

The issue assumes significance as Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever is in India for high-level talks with the Indian leadership. Choksi’s extradition is expected to be among the matters discussed, as New Belgium arrested Choksi on India’s extradition request in April 2025 and he has remained in custody.

“So as far as the extradition request is concerned, you know, it is pursuant to India’s extradition request which was made some time back. The fugitive was arrested by the Belgian authorities in April last year and he is in the Belgium jail since then. So the government of India remains committed to ensuring that the fugitives are brought back to India to face the law and justice,” he added.

Choksi’s arrest in Belgium marked a major development in India’s efforts to secure the return of the businessman, who had left India after the alleged banking fraud came to light. Since his arrest, Choksi has remained in a Belgian jail while he pursued legal options against being sent to India.

The extradition process gained momentum after Belgian courts ruled in favour of India’s request.

Choksi challenged the extradition order through the Belgian judicial system, but his final appeal was rejected by Belgium’s top court in December 2025. The decision effectively removed the last major judicial obstacle to his extradition.

However, the rejection of the final appeal does not necessarily mean that the physical transfer takes place immediately. Authorities still have to complete the necessary procedures before Choksi can be handed over to Indian officials.

The case became one of the biggest banking scandals in India and triggered intense scrutiny of banking procedures and controls.