The Noose Tightens As Mallya Loses Extradition Appeal In UK High Court

Pic courtesy The Financial Express

London: Vijay Mallya’s appeal against extradition to India was dismissed by a UK High Court on Monday.

In the order delivered against the fugitive liquor baron, the judges said: “We consider that while the scope of the prima facie case found by the SDJ (Senior District Judge) is in some respects wider than that alleged by the Respondent in India (Central Bureau of Investigation, CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED), there is a prima facie case which, in seven important respects, coincides with the allegations in India.”

Mallya and his firm, Kingfisher Airlines Ltd, came under the scanner of the ED, CBI, Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) and Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) for loan defaults of over Rs 10,000 crore to a State Bank of India-led consortium of Indian banks.

According to legal experts, Mallya can apply within 14 days for permission for an application to certify that a point of law of general public importance has been overlooked by the magistrate court and High Court. If the High Court grants permission, Mallya can appeal against extradition order in the UK Supreme Court.

If the High Court refuses the permission, Mallya’s case will go to Priti Patel, UK secretary of state, Home Department, for a final decision on extradition.