New Delhi, April 29 -- A Belgian court has adjourned the hearing on a second plea filed by fugitive diamond merchant Mehul Choksi, demanding his immediate release and contesting his arrest, citing procedural irregularities.

He was arrested by Belgian authorities earlier this month following an official request from Indian authorities for his extradition.

Choksi, a key accused in the Rs.13,500 crore Punjab National Bank loan fraud case, claimed that Belgian authorities failed to adhere to the prescribed legal procedures during his arrest.

In his plea before the Belgian Court of Appeal, he also said that the authorities disregarded due process and violated his fundamental rights, contravening the principles of natural justice.

This deve...