New Delhi: India has submitted the first official photographs of Mumbai’s Arthur Road Jail, specifically Barrack No. 12, to Belgian authorities, detailing where fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi will be held upon extradition.

The 46-square-metre barrack, according to official records, has two cells equipped with private toilets and basic amenities. The images were shared to counter Choksi’s claims that Indian prisons are overcrowded and unsafe.

Barrack No. 12: Choksi’s designated cell

As per India’s submission, Choksi will be housed in Barrack No. 12 of the high-security Arthur Road Jail — the same facility that once held 26/11 terrorist Ajmal Kasab.

  • The barrack includes two rooms with attached sanitation facilities.
  • Choksi will remain indoors except during court appearances or medical visits.
  • His custody will be under judicial supervision, not under the investigating agency.

Belgian court dismisses Choksi’s claims

Choksi’s legal team had argued before the Belgian court that Indian prisons are substandard and the judiciary lacks independence. However, the court rejected these arguments, observing that his evidence was irrelevant and unrelated to his case.

“Reports submitted by the person concerned relate to unrelated cases such as Sikh activism and Tihar Jail and do not prove that Choksi faces any personal risk of injustice or mistreatment in India,” the court noted.

The bench also held that media scrutiny of major fraud cases is natural and does not suggest bias or a denial of fair trial rights. Choksi, it said, failed to provide any credible evidence indicating a risk of torture, unfair trial, or medical neglect in India.

India’s assurances on Choksi’s safety

In its response, the Indian government assured that Choksi’s rights, safety, and medical needs will be protected. Officials stated that Arthur Road Jail meets international standards and provides adequate healthcare and sanitation.

“The person will reside exclusively in Barrack No. 12 and will only be moved for medical reasons or court hearings. He will remain under the jurisdiction of judicial courts, not the investigating agency,” the government’s note read.

Extradition process gains pace

The Belgian court’s order has cleared the path for Choksi’s extradition to India, dismissing his claims of political persecution and human rights violations.

With the legal hurdles narrowing, Indian authorities are now coordinating with their Belgian counterparts to finalise the extradition logistics for the fugitive businessman, who is wanted in the multi-crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case.