A Belgian court has ordered the extradition of fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi to India, marking a significant breakthrough in the multi-crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case.

The ruling is a major diplomatic victory for India, which has been working through various international legal channels to bring Choksi to justice.

Mehul Choksi, who fled India in 2018 and acquired citizenship in Antigua and Barbuda, has been wanted by Indian authorities for criminal conspiracy, cheating, and money laundering related to the PNB scam. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) have both filed multiple cases against him and his nephew, Nirav Modi.

According to reports, the Belgian court considered India’s detailed legal submissions and evidence before approving the extradition. The decision reinforces international cooperation against financial crimes and strengthens India’s ongoing efforts to bring fugitives to trial.

The Indian government is now expected to initiate formal procedures for Choksi’s transfer to India, where he will face trial under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and other relevant criminal provisions.

This ruling follows recent global attention on high-profile economic offenders and signals a stronger stance against those attempting to evade justice by obtaining foreign citi

zenship.