London court orders extradition of Vijay Mallya
10 Dec 2018
The Westminster Magistrates Court in London today ordered the extradition of liquor baron Vijay Mallya to India, in a development that will help proceeding in Indian courts in connection with loan default cases against him.
Mallya, wanted in India on charges of fraud and money laundering amounting to around Rs9,000 crore, appeared before the Westminster Magistrates' Court in London today.
The 62-year-old former Kingfisher Airlines boss has been on bail since his arrest on an extradition warrant in April last year.
The London court’s decision comes after months-long battle between Indian authorities in a deliberate attempt to bring back Vijay Mallya.
Earlier last week, Vijay Mallya offered to repay the banks in full. He also iterated that he met union finance minister Arun Jaitley before leaving for UK.
The matter of extradition of Vijay Mallya to India has been referred to the Secretary of State.
The Central Bureau of investigation (CBI) welcomed the decision. CBI officials are already in London to attend the court proceedings.
“I want to disprove the narrative that I stole money by offering to make 100 per cent settlement,” Vijay Mallya said on arrival at the court. He said his settlement offers are not related to the judgement to be delivered today. "I have filed a comprehensive settlement application before the Karnataka high court which co-incidentally is also being heard today," Mallya said.
"Whatever the judgement, my legal team will reveal the judgement and take proper steps thereafter. Yes I have tweeted saying that I want to repay, that has nothing to do with this extradition issue. It's a completely separate matter," new agency ANI tweeted citing Vijay Mallya. There is nothing genuine or ingenuine. Please understand that the offer has been made in a court of law. Nobody disrespects a court of law, Vijay Mallya said on his 100 per cent settlement offer with banks, according to ANI.
If extradited, Mallya will be lodged in one of Arthur Road prison’s high security barracks located in a two-storey building inside the prison complex, which also housed 26/11 Mumbai attack terrorist Mohammad Ajmal Kasab, a prison official said.
A high security cell has been kept ready at the jail located in central Mumbai, he said. "We are fully prepared to lodge him safely at our correction centre. If he is brought here, we will take care of his safety and security," the official said.
In case of a medical emergency, Mallya can be treated at the dispensary located close to the barrack, where doctors and other staff are present to provide basic treatment to prisoners, he said.
An official from the union ministry of home affairs earlier said Mumbai's Arthur Road Jail was one of the best in the country.
The comments had come after a court in the UK asked Indian authorities to submit a video of the Arthur Road Jail cell where they plan to keep Mallya following his extradition.