NEW DELHI: Behind the cold steel bars, a surprisingly plush interior awaits one of India’s most wanted fugitives. Photographs presented by India to Belgium to secure Mehul Choksi’s extradition reveal a dwelling place that’s more akin to a boutique hotel room than a jail cell. The gleaming bathroom and tiled area are a far cry from the stark, unforgiving ambience one typically associates with prison life.Fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi will be lodged at the Arthur Road jail in Mumbai upon extradition and the cell he will be lodged in has been spruced up to adhere to European standards of prisoner management. The photographs provided by India also offer a glimpse of the prison barrack (number 12), which houses Choksi’s cell. There are two cells with special facilities and Choksi will be kept in one of them post-extradition.“The barrack is protected by a steel structure after clearing the ground level of 20 feet on three sides so as to allow free passage of light and air inside the jail. The wide corridor leads to the cell.
India to Belgian court: Arthur Rd jail has long walking area, fresh air with cross ventilation
Police personnel are deployed round the clock for security and any emergency, the document submitted by the Indian govt states. Regarding the cell where Mehul Choksi will be lodged, the document says: “The cell has sufficient sources of natural light. The cell has one main door, three windows and five upper ventilators which ensure fresh air with cross ventilation.Once the lights are switched on, six hanging tube lights provide sufficient light in the cell. The three ceiling fans are there to maintain enough air circulation. A TV is also provided for news and entertainment.”The Indian prosecutors have also submitted (with images) to the Belgian court handling Choksi’s case that an attached passage from the cell leads to the toilet, which is equipped with all essential amenities. “There is a long walking area for the inmates outside the Barrack where they can take a stroll in the mornings or evenings,” the document adds.The development comes on the heels of the Union home minister urging all states to have at least one prison cell of international standards to deal with fugitives. The Belgian court recently upheld Choksi’s arrest — which happened at the Indian govt’s request — and ordered his extradition. It observed that the documents produced by Choksi to cite poor jail conditions were of Tihar prison and do not apply to his case.The court also observed that there was no “documentary evidence” to prove Choksi was kidnapped in Antigua in May 2021 on the instructions of Indian authorities and dismissed the charge that his extradition was being sought for a political or military offence.Choksi (65), wanted in bank fraud cases to the tune of Rs 13,000 crore, is learnt to be in process of filing an appeal against the extradition order.
