NEW DELHI: The extradition of fugitive diamond merchant Mehul Choksi would be a great decision, but it may take a long time, said a former diplomat.
KP Fabian , while talking to news agency ANI, said that it took 17 years to extradite 26/11 terror accused Tahawwur Rana from US and hence, we must not expect the same with Choksi.
'There can be obstacles'
"It will be great if it can be done, but again, Rana, how many years has he, has he taken us? When was 26/11, 2008. And we got him in 2025. So, all these, all the extradition proceedings will take time. But there can be obstacles. The latest I heard on the news, I have no inside information, that he's going to challenge it based on his health condition. So let us see at this moment. We can't see either," he said.
Recalling how Choksi and his nephew Nirav Modi are on the run after defrauding the Punjab National Bank of USD 1.8 billion, Fabio said, "We have been chasing them. There was also an Interpol Red Corner notice which we withdrew in 2023, possibly because it was not working."
Will Belgium extradite Choksi?
The former diplomat said that it is not sure that Belgiam government will extradite him, but he asserted, "India must keep trying for it."
"Now, he is in Belgium and upon our request for extradition, Belgium has detained him. But we can't jump to the conclusion that tomorrow or day after Belgium is going to extradite him because there is a legal process, even if the Belgian government decides, he can go to court. So whether eventually he'll be extradited or not at this moment we can't say, but obviously we should try hard, as hard as necessary to get him," he said.
"No, it's a good message that those who commit fraud should be caught wherever they are under the moon and extradited to the country where they committed fraud or carried out acts which are, you know, despicable," he added.
Jibe at Pakistan and China
Taking a potshot at Pakistan and China, the former diplomat said these countries don't know the definition of 'terrorist' is different. He added that people who are termed as 'terrorist' in India are hailed as 'hero' in Pakistan and China.
"The problem is that with both China and Pakistan, we have a difference of view as regards who is a terrorist. Those whom India considers as terrorists in Pakistan, they consider them as, you know, heroic fighters, you know what I mean. But that is only they are putting it out like that. As a matter of fact, the Pakistan government or to be more precise, ISI, they have been permitting and encouraging terrorist activities from the soil of Pakistan directed primarily against India. So it is part of their state policy," he said.
Can Choksi appeal against India's extradition?
Speaking about it, the former diplomat said that if India decides to extradite Choksi, he can appeal against it in a Belgian court.
"Well, I'll put it this way, India wants him extradited and Belgium has to take the decision. Now, even if the Belgium Internal affairs and the foreign affairs, take that decision. Choksi has the option of going to court in Belgium. And then there can be arguments, pros and cons. You know it will be, no, it will be foolish to predict any time frame," he said.
KP Fabian , while talking to news agency ANI, said that it took 17 years to extradite 26/11 terror accused Tahawwur Rana from US and hence, we must not expect the same with Choksi.
'There can be obstacles'
"It will be great if it can be done, but again, Rana, how many years has he, has he taken us? When was 26/11, 2008. And we got him in 2025. So, all these, all the extradition proceedings will take time. But there can be obstacles. The latest I heard on the news, I have no inside information, that he's going to challenge it based on his health condition. So let us see at this moment. We can't see either," he said.
Recalling how Choksi and his nephew Nirav Modi are on the run after defrauding the Punjab National Bank of USD 1.8 billion, Fabio said, "We have been chasing them. There was also an Interpol Red Corner notice which we withdrew in 2023, possibly because it was not working."
Will Belgium extradite Choksi?
The former diplomat said that it is not sure that Belgiam government will extradite him, but he asserted, "India must keep trying for it."
"Now, he is in Belgium and upon our request for extradition, Belgium has detained him. But we can't jump to the conclusion that tomorrow or day after Belgium is going to extradite him because there is a legal process, even if the Belgian government decides, he can go to court. So whether eventually he'll be extradited or not at this moment we can't say, but obviously we should try hard, as hard as necessary to get him," he said.
"No, it's a good message that those who commit fraud should be caught wherever they are under the moon and extradited to the country where they committed fraud or carried out acts which are, you know, despicable," he added.
Jibe at Pakistan and China
Taking a potshot at Pakistan and China, the former diplomat said these countries don't know the definition of 'terrorist' is different. He added that people who are termed as 'terrorist' in India are hailed as 'hero' in Pakistan and China.
"The problem is that with both China and Pakistan, we have a difference of view as regards who is a terrorist. Those whom India considers as terrorists in Pakistan, they consider them as, you know, heroic fighters, you know what I mean. But that is only they are putting it out like that. As a matter of fact, the Pakistan government or to be more precise, ISI, they have been permitting and encouraging terrorist activities from the soil of Pakistan directed primarily against India. So it is part of their state policy," he said.
Can Choksi appeal against India's extradition?
Speaking about it, the former diplomat said that if India decides to extradite Choksi, he can appeal against it in a Belgian court.
"Well, I'll put it this way, India wants him extradited and Belgium has to take the decision. Now, even if the Belgium Internal affairs and the foreign affairs, take that decision. Choksi has the option of going to court in Belgium. And then there can be arguments, pros and cons. You know it will be, no, it will be foolish to predict any time frame," he said.
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