A ‘confidential issue’ delays Vijay Mallya’s extradition

Mallya is accused of defrauding Indian banks of several thousand crore rupees and also of criminal conduct.

Indian businessman Vijay Mallya’s extradition to India will have to wait till the resolution of a new legal issue that has surfaced, according to a spokesperson of the British high commission. The latest development follows recent media reports suggesting Mallya’s extradition was due soon after the loss of his appeal in the UK High Court challenging a 2018 order of extradition on the request of Indian authorities.

Indian businessman Vijay Mallya has been in the UK since March 2, 2016, when he fled India. (REUTERS Photo)

The spokesperson said the issue holding up Mallya’s extradition was confidential and details could not be revealed.

“However, there is a further legal issue that needs resolving before Mr Mallya’s extradition can be arranged. Under United Kingdom law, extradition cannot take place until it is resolved. The issue is confidential and we cannot go into any detail,” a spokesperson for the British high commission said.

Mallya is accused of defrauding a consortium of Indian banks by close to Rs 9,000 crore and faces charges of money laundering and criminal conspiracy among others.

Mallya had availed loans from 17 Indian banks for the now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines and is accused of diverting it to pay for other businesses including the formula 1 team he had bought. Indian courts have declared him a fugitive and authorities have attached his various properties in an effort to recover the money owed to the banks. Mallya had fled India on March 2, 2016.

Mallya has been publicly offering to return the money he owes the banks and has continuously questioned the government’s intent for allegedly refusing his offer. The last of such tweets was posted by him on May 14, in which he repeated his offer and said, “Congratulations to the Government for a Covid 19 relief package. They can print as much currency as they want BUT should a small contributor like me who offers 100% payback of State owned Bank loans be constantly ignored? Please take my money unconditionally and close.”

A UK district judge Emma Arbuthnot had last year ruled that there was a prima facie case of fraud by false representation against Mallya, which was confirmed by the UK High Court.

Mallya was also denied permission to challenge the high court’s judgment in the Supreme Court.