In a major setback for fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi, a court in Belgium has rejected his plea for bail. Choksi, who is among the key accused in the PNB bank fraud case worth Rs 13,500 crore, was arrested on April 12 by Belgian authorities.
As per a report by ANI, a three-judge bench heard the arguments put forth by Choksi before rejecting the bail.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs Randhir Jaiswal has stated that India is in touch with Belgium and is working towards Choksi's extradition.
"As you are aware, based on our extradition request, he was arrested in Belgium. We are closely working with the Belgian side for his extradition to India so that he can face trial in the country," Jaiswal had said answering a query.
Bail Plea Request On Grounds Of Medical Treatment
As per ANI, Choksi's lawyer Vijay Aggarwal, was seen in Antwerp ahead of the bail hearing and had also visited Choksi in jail.
Speaking to ANI, the lawyer said that Choksi's legal team planned to get bail in view of his ill health and ongoing cancer treatment.
"My client, Mehul Choksi, is currently in custody. We will initiate the process of filing an appeal and request his release from prison, citing his medical condition and the fact that he is not a flight risk," Aggarwal told ANI.
Agarwal also cited concerns regarding Choksi's rights "particularly due to the lack of adequate medical care and the risk of harassment by political entities."
