New Delhi: The case of fugitive diamond trader Mehul Choksi’s extradition will come up for hearing before Belgium’s Supreme Court, the Court of Cassation, on December 9, officials said on Thursday.

Choksi has moved the top Belgian court challenging the October 17 verdict of the Antwerp Court of Appeal, which upheld India’s extradition request and termed it “enforceable.”

Advocaat-generaal Henri Vanderlinden confirmed to PTI that the Court of Cassation will hear the matter on December 9. The court examines only the legal aspects of the appellate court’s decision, such as the correct application of law and procedure, and does not consider new facts or evidence, he said.

Vanderlinden explained that proceedings before the Court of Cassation are primarily written. Appeals can be rejected on procedural grounds, including lack of legal competence. Complaints must be filed in writing at the time of appeal, and no new arguments can be introduced later, he added.

On October 17, the Antwerp Court of Appeal upheld the district court’s November 29, 2024, ruling that validated arrest warrants issued by a Mumbai special court in 2018 and 2021 as “enforceable,” paving the way for Choksi’s extradition.

The appellate court found no risk of Choksi being denied a fair trial or subjected to ill-treatment in India, rejecting his claims of political persecution or risk of torture. India has provided assurances on his safety, legal process, detention conditions, and medical care.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has accused Choksi, 66, of siphoning off ₹6,400 crore in the ₹13,000-crore Punjab National Bank scam. Choksi fled to Antigua and Barbuda in January 2018, days before the fraud was detected, and was later traced to Belgium, where he reportedly sought medical treatment.

India sent an extradition request to Belgium on August 27, 2024, based on Mumbai court warrants. The Antwerp District Court, Turnhout Division, had enforced those warrants last November, except one related to “causing the disappearance of evidence.”

With inputs from PTI