India has made some promises in its extradition application to return businessman Mehul Choksi to face trial in the Rs 12,000-crore Punjab National Bank fraud case. These promise guarantees include access to an adequate diet, 24/7 medical treatment, and hygienic sanitation conditions.
Choksi, aged 66, was detained in Antwerp, Belgium, in April. His lawyers have argued that he has serious illness, including cancer, and must not be held in custody.
In a communication to Belgian authorities, the Ministry of Home Affairs provided details about the cell where Choksi would be housed upon his return to India. According to the letter, the businessman would be lodged in barrack no. 12 at Mumbai’s Arthur Road Jail complex.
"that the detention cell where he is to be kept has arrangement to provide clean thick cotton mat (can be widely described as mattress too), pillow, bed-sheet & blanket. A metal frame/wooden bed, however, can be provided on medical grounds. There is sufficient light and ventilation, and place for storing allowed personal belongings," the letter adds.
The Ministry also highlighted that Choksi would have sufficient access to clean drinking water and round-the-clock medical attention. Additionally, he will receive adequate food and be allowed out of his cell for over an hour daily for exercise and recreation.
The letter further emphasizes that cleanliness is maintained in the Mumbai jail, with cells swept and mopped every day.
"Mumbai is a coastal city with tropical monsoon type climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. Mumbai's weather is pleasant throughout the year and never becomes extreme. Hence, there is no need for heating inside the cell. There is no air conditioning offered and normally not needed in the weather of Mumbai," the letter continues.
"Detainees shall be provided with sufficient food three times a day, with special dietary requirements being catered to with medical clearance. There is also a jail canteen and fruits and basic snacks as stock. Outdoor exercise is allowed daily in an open-to-sky exercise yard and indoor recreation in the form of board games and informal badminton. There is also yoga, meditation and access to a library and books," the letter states.
As far as medical facilities are concerned, the Ministry observed, "The hospital has six medical officers, nursing orderlies, pharmacists, and laboratory support. There is a 20 bed fully equipped medical facility containing ECG etc within Arthur Road Jail and this is further supported by a full-scale Government hospital which is within less than 3 km of the jail. The Prison hospital has 2 general wards with a capacity of 20 beds, 1 psychiatry ward, 1 TB ward and a dental facility. Prison has an in-house ambulance. Mehul Choksi will be sent for regular specialist consultation at the government hospital, if needed."
These specific guarantees were made to allow Belgian courts to determine whether the custodial conditions Choksi will experience in India meet international human rights norms—a standard procedure in extradition matters.
The Belgian courts will examine these undertakings, and if satisfactory and lawful conditions for extradition are met, Choksi can be sent to India to stand trial in the CBI case.
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