India seeks Mehul Choksi’s extradition from Belgium under 125-year-old treaty | (Photo Courtesy: X/
@Krishan10_)
Mumbai: The treaty signed by the British government in 1901 with the Belgian government, which was applicable to India, then under British rule, has come to the aid of Indian prosecuting agencies seeking the extradition of diamantaire Mehul Choksi, who was arrested on Saturday in Belgium.
The term ‘treaty’ refers to a mutual agreement between two countries for assistance on specific matters. Nearly 125 years ago, on October 29, 1901, the British government signed a treaty with the Belgian government for the Mutual Surrender of Fugitive Criminals. Although the treaty was signed by the British government, it was extended to India.
Sources from Central agencies claim that India, per se, does not have a direct treaty with Belgium. However, after gaining Independence, both governments agreed to continue the mutual agreement. In November 1954, the Belgium government acknowledged that the treaties signed by the British government in 1901, as amended in 1907 and 1911, were still applicable to India even after its Independence. It is stated that the Belgium government, in August 1954, confirmed the validity of the treaty signed between the British and Belgium governments.
Soon after the news emerged that Choksi had moved from his safe zone in Antigua to Belgium, Indian agencies intensified their efforts to bring him back to prosecute him in connection with the bank fraud cases lodged by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the money laundering case registered by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
Sources also claimed that in 2020, India and Belgium worked together again to renew the treaty. The new document was approved by the Union Cabinet in March 2021. However, sources indicated that it remained a draft and had not been finalised, leaving investigators with no option but to rely on the 125-year-old treaty.
