India Provides Assurances to Belgium on Mehul Choksi’s Detention Conditions Ahead of Extradition

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India, has formally assured the Ministry of Justice, Belgium, and Belgian judicial authorities about the conditions under which businessman Mehul Choksi would be detained if extradited to India in connection with the PNB bank fraud case.

The assurances, issued in consultation with the Government of Maharashtra and prison authorities, outline material, medical, and procedural safeguards to address human rights concerns in extradition proceedings. Choksi faces charges including criminal conspiracy, cheating, corruption, and related offenses under Indian law.

Detention Facility and Living Conditions

• Designated Facility: Barrack No. 12, Arthur Road Jail, Mumbai, housing non-violent offenders.

• Capacity: Six persons per barrack; cells currently unoccupied.

• Space & Amenities: Minimum of three square metres per detainee, ventilated cells, clean bedding, flush toilets, and bathing facilities.

• Food & Recreation: Three meals daily with dietary accommodations, access to a jail canteen, fruits, snacks, daily outdoor exercise, indoor games, yoga, meditation, and library access.

Medical Care

• Staffed 24×7 by medical officers, nurses, pharmacists, and lab support.

• Facilities: 20-bed prison hospital with ICU, emergency referral to Sir J.J. Hospital, and option for private medical care.

• Assurance: Choksi’s pre-existing medical conditions will be accommodated with necessary therapies and equipment at no cost.

Security and Oversight

• Barrack is segregated, monitored via CCTV, and staffed by trained personnel.

• Legal Access: Daily lawyer meetings, weekly family visits, and telephone/video conferencing.

• Oversight by prison administration, NHRC/SHRC, and judicial authorities. Channels exist for complaints and remedial action.

Staff Training

• Guards undergo six-month induction with refresher courses.

• Prison officers complete a one-year intensive program including yoga and meditation to promote restraint.

The MHA letter frames these safeguards as a sovereign commitment, ensuring detention conditions meet international human rights standards, particularly under Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Belgian courts, including the Chambers of Indictment in Antwerp, will review these assurances alongside legal and evidentiary requirements before deciding on Choksi’s extradition.

Choksi was arrested in Belgium in April 2025 following India’s extradition request. He, along with his nephew Nirav Modi, is accused of orchestrating fraudulent transactions in the high-profile PNB bank fraud case.