Requesting formally to the United Kingdom, India has handed over an extradition request for the absconding businessman and loan defaulter Vijay Mallya to face trials in India. There are already 15 extradition pleas pending with the British government.
The development has been confirmed by the spokesperson of Ministry of External Affairs, Vikas Swaroop who stated that after receiving the request from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), it has been handed over to the UK high commission in New Delhi.
“We have handed over the request for extradition of Vijay Vittal Mallya which we received from the CBI to the UK High Commission here today. We have an extradition treaty with the UK and we hope we have a legitimate case against Mallya.” He also added that we expect that it would be an example of Indo-British cooperation.
Earlier in 2016, the UK refused to deport Mallya after which the CBI’s request for his extradition was sent through the foreign ministry.
In November 2016, the CBI approached the court with the request. Liquor baron Vijay Mallya eloped to London on March 2, 2016. After filing a chargesheet against Mallya, a non-bailable warrant has been issued last month. On the other hand, Mallya made a complaint of a “witch hunt” against him through twitter. He said,”In our country, I assumed that innocence prevails till proven guilty. Media have convicted me guilty without trial with widespread influence.”
The chargesheet filed by CBI said undue favours were shown to KFA in sanctioning and disbursal of loans of Rs 1,300 crore and there were many acts of omission and commission on the part of IDBI Bank officials in the process. They had to request an extradition after Mallya continuously failed to response to CBI and ED to join investigations over the last 11 months.”About Rs. 260 crore of the borrowed amount was diverted by Kingfisher Airlines (KFA), while Rs 263 crore was used to pay salaries, TDS, income tax and loan.
As written in the chargesheet filed by CBI, about Rs 260 crore of the borrowed amount was divert by KFA
“About Rs 260 crore of the borrowed amount was diverted by KFA, while Rs 263 crore was used to pay salaries, TDS, income tax and loan instalments whereas another part was used for Mallya’s personal expenses.
