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Mehul Choksi, arrested in Belgium, will challenge his extradition to India, citing inhuman prison conditions. His lawyer references the London court’s ruling in Sanjay Bhandari’s case.
Fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi | File Image/ IANS
Mehul Choksi, who was arrested in Belgium, is likely to challenge his extradition to India citing inhuman conditions in Indian prisons.
Speaking to CNN-News18, Choksi’s lawyer Vijay Aggarwal referred to London’s high court ruling in India’s extradition appeal against discharge of Sanjay Bhandari, a consultant in the defence sector wanted in India on alleged tax evasion and money laundering charges.
“An appeal will be filed. During that appeal process, we will request that he should not be detained and he should be permitted to challenge the extradition by being out of prison,” he said.
Who Is Mehul Choksi And What Are The Financial Crimes He Is Accused Of?
When asked about grounds of Choksi’s appeal, Aggarwal said, “Generally there are two grounds– this is a political case and human rights of the client will be affected. We will make a strong case based on the Bhandari judgment which has come that said Indian prison conditions are not human.”
Choksi, who is wanted in India in connection with the infamous Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case, was arrested on Sunday in Belgium. He was granted residency in Belgium on November 15, 2023.
In Bhandari case, the London court said that the defence consultant would be at risk “of extortion and violence” from “other prisoners and prison officials” in Tihar jail.