Fugitive diamond merchant Mehul Choksi has suffered a big setback in his plea against extradition to India. A Belgium court has said there are no legal barriers and the charges against him were serious enough to justify it.
Choksi, 66, fled India on January 2, 2018. He is wanted by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for allegedly defrauding the Punjab National Bank (PNB) of Rs 13,850 crore.
In 2018, Choksi had opposed the CBI's plea to Interpol seeking a red corner notice against him on the ground that the conditions in jails in India were not good. He also said that the prisons in the country violated human rights conditions.
READ: No Legal Barrier To Extradition To India: Big Belgium Setback For Mehul Choksi
On Tuesday, detailed architectural drawings and interior images of the Arthur Road Jail were presented before a Belgian court.
These images were attached to show that Choksi would be housed in a well-ventilated, secure, and monitored cell and not in the prison's general wards.
Here's a look at the images:
The barrack where Choksi's cell is located is protected by a steel structure.
The wide corridor outside of Choksi's cell has police deployment round the clock.
Choksi's cell has sufficient sources of natural light. The cell has one main door, three windows, and five upper ventilators, which ensure fresh air with cross-ventilation.
There is sufficient lighting in the cell. Three ceiling fans provide enough air circulation. A TV is also provided.
The cell has an attached toilet with all essential amenities. An attached passage from the room leads to the toilet.
The Belgian court had approved Choksi's extradition to India on Friday. Choksi, however, has the right to appeal the order before the Belgian Supreme Court within the next 15 days.
