The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Gopal Baglay, said the UK Government has conveyed India’s request for extradition of Industrialist and liquor baron, Vijay Mallya.
He added the UK Home office, had forwarded the extradition plea to a district court, in order to secure a formal warrant against Mallya.
“They conveyed it has been sent to a Westminster magistrate’s court for a district judge to consider the issue of releasing a warrant,” Baglay added.
Earlier in March, the Supreme Court fast-tracked the proceedings against Mallya and laid its order, on contempt proceedings against him.
Vijay Mallya allegedly diverted $40 million to his children's accounts in foreign banks, in violation of court orders.
The Industrialist, is even accused of a loan default of over Rs 9,000 crore, from IDBI bank.
This is a crucial step in securing the extradition of an individual from the UK. However, the actual process could take months, and may be even years, said a source.
India has extradited a number of Britons, including Maninderpal Singh, who was convicted of raping and murdering a British teenager. No high-profile extradition has taken place from the UK to India, since a treaty signed in 1993.
Extradition, in the UK, involves several steps. Most of which are time-barred, but allow several tiers of appeal.
Once the Secretary of State has certified that the matter can go to court, and if the court is satisfied that enough information has been supplied, an arrest warrant can be issued.
This is the point at which Mallya’s case rests currently.
A bench of Justices A.K. Goel and U.U. Lalit reserved its order on whether or not Mallya was guilty of contempt, and what action should be taken to bring back the money.
The court ended the proceedings after a three-and-a-half-hour hearing.
The Center contended that Mallya was mocking the Indian system, after fleeing the country.
The Government is also holding talks with U.K. authorities to get him deported.
However, the liquor baron, fled the country days before the apex court took up the case against him.
Attorney General, Mukul Rohatgi, has urged the court to direct Mallya to bring back the $40 million which he had received from Diageo.
Diageo, is a British multinational alcoholic beverage company, headquartered in London, UK.
Mallya had breached the court orders and his refusal to bring back the money had aggravated the breach, added Mr. Rohatgi.
“He should be directed to appear personally before the court.” said the Attorney General.
By Supraja
