Mallya arrested & released on bond in UK

DAINIK NATION BUREAU

Liquor baron turned politician Vijay Mallya was arrested in London today before being released on bail for the second time this year, in a case of money laundering filed by Indian authorities through UK’s state prosecutor. He slipped out of the country in March 2016, amid attempts by a group of banks to recover more than Rs. 9,000 crore loaned to him for his now-collapsed Kingfisher Airlines.
India made an extradition request in February to Britain to send back the businessman to face trial. He was arrested and released on bail in April this year following India’s extradition request. Indian agencies followed up the request with a 2,000-page dossier as evidence against Mallya. Today, appearing calm and relaxed at the Westminster Magistrate Court in London, he refused to agree to being extradited. He was released on providing a bail bond worth 650,000 pounds.

Last month, the fugitive submitted his response to India’s request in a large box which had four reports. The extradition case will be taken up in December.

Talking to media outside the court, Mallya said that he had done nothing wrong. “The judge will decide whether I should travel back to India,” he said.

“I have not eluded any court. If it is my lawful duty to be here, I’m happy to be here,” he said, adding, “I’ve given enough evidence to prove my case.”

Mallya is in Britain on an “indefinite leave to remain” visa or on permanent residence after India cancelled his passport. The businessman faces at least half a dozen arrest warrants back in India.

Known for his lavish lifestyle, Vijay Mallya has repeatedly defied summons by courts and investigators in India but has been a regular at public events in Britain, especially to root for the Formula One team that he owns.He has used Twitter to dismiss the charges against him and target the media and politicians. Cases against him are being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate, which handles financial crimes.

NOTE—with input of NDTV