Fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi, wanted for bank fraud cases amounting to Rs 13,000 crore, is set to be extradited from Belgium and will be housed in a specially designed cell at Arthur Road Jail in Mumbai. This cell, described as more akin to a boutique hotel than a traditional prison, has been prepared to meet European standards of prisoner management, as confirmed by Indian authorities in a Belgian court.

Choksi will occupy one of two specially equipped cells in Barrack 12, which features modern amenities aimed at ensuring comfort and security. Photographs submitted by Indian prosecutors reveal that the cell is well-lit, with three windows and five upper ventilators for ventilation. It is also equipped with three ceiling fans and six tube lights for illumination after dark. For entertainment, a television set has been installed, and the cell includes an attached passage leading to a fully equipped toilet.

Security measures are robust, with personnel stationed around the clock. The barrack is designed with a steel-protected structure, ensuring unobstructed air and light flow. Additionally, a wide corridor outside the barrack allows inmates to take short walks during designated times.

This initiative is part of a broader directive from the Union Home Ministry to establish at least one international-standard cell in each state for high-profile fugitives facing extradition. Recently, a Belgian court upheld Choksi's arrest at India's request, dismissing his claims that the extradition was politically motivated. The court noted that Choksi's references to poor jail conditions were based on Tihar Jail, not Arthur Road, and found no evidence supporting his allegation of being kidnapped in Antigua in 2021 on India's orders.