Bhubaneswar, Oct. 17 -- In a major breakthrough for Indian authorities, a Belgian court in Antwerp has approved the extradition of fugitive diamond trader Mehul Choksi to India, ruling that his arrest by Belgian police in April 2025 was valid. The decision marks a crucial first step in bringing back one of the key accused in the Rs 13,000 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case.

The court, however, allowed Choksi the option to appeal before a higher court, delaying his immediate return to India. Choksi has been lodged in a Belgian prison since his arrest on April 11, 2025, after multiple bail pleas were rejected over flight risk concerns.

During the proceedings, the Belgian prosecution, representing India, and Choksi's lawyers prese...