In a big win for India, a UK court has ordered the extradition of embattled liquor baron Vijay Mallya after a year-long trial. The businessman is wanted in India on fraud and money laundering charges that amount to an whopping Rs 9000 Crore. The decision of Chief Magistrate Judge Emma Arbuthnot has been welcomed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The decision now lies with the UK Home Office for the Home Secretary, Sajid Javid, who would pass an order based on the vedict.
Speaking before the hearing, outside the Westminster Magistrates' Court, Mallya had said he wants to “disprove the narrative that I have stolen money”. He also added that his settlement offer before the Karnataka High Court is not bogus. “My settlement offer is made before the Karnataka High Court. It is not related to this extradition trial. Nobody disrespects a court of law by making a bogus offer. The assets have been attached by the ED so they cannot be bogus assets,” he said. Recently, Mallya had tweeted an offer to repay 100 per cent of the principal amount to a consortium of banks and the Indian government. He said the offer is a separate matter and not linked to the extradition hearing.
“Whatever the judgment, my legal team will reveal the judgment and take proper steps thereafter,” he had said before entering the court. Meanwhile, back in India, highly anticipating extradition of the former Kingfisher Airlines' chief, authorities at Arthur Road Jail have kept a high-security cell ready for Mallya. He will be lodged in one of the 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.
