Arrest in Antwerp: Millions of fraud-ex-diamond dealer before delivery!

Arrest in Antwerp: Millions of fraud-ex-diamond dealer before delivery!

Antwerpen, Belgien - Mehul Choksi, an Indian -born diamond dealer, was arrested in Antwerp on Saturday. He is charged with a billion-dollar bank fraud, with Indian authorities already submitting an application for extradition for the 65-year-old. Choksi is accused of having made illegal loans from Punjab National Bank (PNB) together with his nephew Nirav Modi, which has triggered one of the largest financial scandals in India.

The case has employed the public in India since 2018 when a branch of the PNB in Mumbai did not discovered transfers worth around $ 1.8 billion (approx. 1.58 billion euros). The money was transferred abroad through various financial institutions. According to reports, Choksi and Modi received support from PNB employees to get to these loans.

legal steps and defense

Choksi's lawyer, Vijay Aggarwal, plans to work for the release of his client in order to prepare a defense against delivery. Among other things, he argues that it is a "political case" and refers to the supposedly inhumane conditions in Indian detention centers. The case continues to be complicated by the fact that Nirav Modi, which was caught in London in 2019, also has an ongoing delivery application.

The delivery procedure begins with a written request for delivery from the requesting state to the requested state. The requesting state must conclusively assert the inspection of an extradited crime, although no evidence is required in the early stages of the proceedings. The Federal Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection is responsible for processing such applications in Germany.

The Choksi case in an international context

Antwerp, where Choksi was arrested, is considered one of the global centers of diamond trade. It is unclear whether choksi and modes are ultimately transferred to India. The delivery procedure includes several steps. First, the Higher Regional Court decides on the admissibility of delivery. This decision is binding and cannot be challenged. In the subsequent approval process, the ministry checks the content aspects of the request.

Before delivery actually takes place, it can be arranged in order to prevent the persecuted person evading during the procedure. After successful approval, the person is handed over to the authorities of the requesting state.

The case of Mehul Choksi remains a significant legal challenge for both him and for the states involved. The public and legal interest in developments is expected to remain high while the procedures are progressing.