Remember back in 2018, when everyone’s feed was full of “another billionaire scammer escapes” memes? Well, hold your chai, because Belgium’s courts just dropped a new episode in the Mehul Choksi saga, and yes, it’s worth the hype. After years of appeals and abduction plotlines, Antwerp’s Court of Appeal basically said, “Bhai, enough.” But what does this really mean? Here’s a breezy, punchy debrief, serving you all the legal action, minus the headache.
Image courtesy The Wire
When Courtroom Chess Turns Checkmate
– On October 17, 2025, Antwerp’s Court of Appeal gave a solid “no” to Mehul Choksi’s grand escape plans, ruling that the charges called out by India (criminal conspiracy, cheating, forgery, and corruption) are extraditable under both Belgian and Indian law. No, the “political bias” and Antigua abduction backstory did NOT cut it here, sorry bhai. The court made this call after Choksi’s April 2025 arrest in Antwerp on India’s request, with bail pleas trashed over—you guessed it—flight risk. With India even sending in detention-assurance docs, the Belgian court now says: extradite.It’s Not ‘Guilty Or Not Guilty,’ It’s ‘Are The Laws Matching?’
– Antwerp didn’t do a mini-trial; it just checked boxes: Are the alleged crimes from 2016–2019 punishable by over a year in both countries? Yup, so dual-criminality box = ticked. India’s “disappearance of evidence” charge didn’t have a Belgian twin, but the rest did—meaning, overall, extradition qualifies. The bench basically rolled its collective eyes at the “political bias” conspiracy, adding there’s no credible sign he’ll get an unfair trial in India. Quick civics lesson, not an IPL finale.
Image courtesy RSHP
From Diamond Suites To Jail Suites—The Vibe Shift
– Indian authorities promised Belgium a jail cell for Choksi with an attached toilet, decent khaana, access to doctors, and even constant CCTV vibes. Yes, India literally sent Belgian officials photos of prison digs, imagine an Airbnb but way less fancy. All this to counter the explosive “inhumane jail” claim Choksi’s lawyers played on loop, which is a classic extradition speed-breaker. From five-star jewel palaces to government guesthouses, talk about adjusting your expectations.The PNB Money Trail—Scam Or City GDP?
– Flashback: This whole drama started with the $1.8–$2 billion PNB scam. Allegations? Choksi and his nephew Nirav Modi used fake LoUs (letters of undertaking, FYI) and clever trade tricks to funnel funds out of India. Both dipped from India in 2018; Nirav’s still hustling his extradition fight in the UK, while India keeps up with promises about how humanely they’ll both be held. Quick reminder: $2 billion isn’t a “mistake”, that’s small-country-budget territory.
Image courtesy India Today
- Abhi Toh Picture Baaki Hai: Final Appeals & Plot Twists
– So, extradition is ordered, but don’t expect Choksi on the next flight to Mumbai. There’s still room for Supreme Court appeals in Belgium, plus all the behind-the-scenes paperwork from Brussels and Delhi. Health issues will definitely be a closing argument (again), but recent bail pleas based on medical grounds failed to convince anyone. It’s suspense, not sprint—get your popcorn, but maybe also some patience.
Extradition drama, but make it European courtroom chic. If this order survives the appeals maze, we might finally move from “alleged scam” news tickers to actual courtroom face-offs in Mumbai. What do y’all think?