Mehul Choksi to get humane treatment if extradited, no solitary confinement: India to Belgium

Fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi

The government has sent a formal letter of assurance to Belgium citing details of the conditions under which Mehul Choksi, an accused in the PNB loan fraud case, will be treated and held if he is extradited to India.

The fugitive businessman will not be held in solitary confinement, authorities have confirmed in the letter issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The government has provided specific details surrounding the human rights concerns raised during extradition proceedings.

The letter - sent to the Ministry of Justice, Kingdom of Belgium, and the competent Belgian judicial authorities - comprises information regarding the specific facility, occupancy limits, medical provisions, and oversight mechanisms. The assurances were formulated in consultation with the Maharashtra government to ensure that Choksi’s rights are protected while complying with extradition protocols.

According to reports citing MHA, Mehul Choksi will be allotted Barrack No. 12 at Arthur Road Jail in Mumbai as the designated facility for Choksi's detention. The barrack, which has a maximum operating capacity of six people, is equipped with six lights, three ceiling fans, ventilators, grill doors and wire-mesh windows. The cells are subject to routine cleaning, pest control, and a continuous municipal supply of drinking water.

As per the norms set by the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT), each detainee gets a minimum of three square metres of personal space, excluding furniture. The letter outlines several binding guarantees to ensure humane and dignified treatment.

According to the letter, sleeping arrangements at the barrack include a clean, thick cotton mat (described as a mattress), pillow, bed sheet, and blanket. Metal or wooden beds may be provided based on medical advice or court orders. There will be an attached toilet and bathroom, partitioned from the living area, with a flush toilet and wash basin for the occupants.

Barrack No. 12 is segregated from the main prison complex and monitored continuously via CCTV, with prison staff on duty. It houses non-violent prisoners, such as economic or white-collar offenders, and is described as free from overcrowding, violence, or extortion. Legal access is guaranteed, with daily meetings with lawyers (excluding Sundays and public holidays), weekly visits from blood relatives, and access to telephone and video-conferencing facilities.

"Detainees will receive adequate food three times daily, with accommodations for special dietary needs subject to medical approval. A jail canteen and provisions such as fruits and basic snacks are also available. Daily outdoor exercise is permitted in an open-to-sky yard, and indoor recreation includes board games and casual badminton. The jail also offers yoga, meditation, and access to a library and reading materials," it mentioned.

Medical care is provided through a 24x7 facility staffed by six medical officers, nursing orderlies, pharmacists, and laboratory support. A 20-bed prison hospital with ICU capability is available, and emergency referrals can be made to Sir J.J. Group of Hospitals, located approximately three kilometres away. Detainees may also seek private medical care at their own expense. The MHA assures that Choksi's pre-existing medical reports will be considered, and necessary equipment and therapies will be provided free of cost based on medical advice.

Mehul Choksi was arrested in Belgium in April following a formal request from Indian authorities.