Court admits Indian evidence against Mallya

A BRITISH court last Friday (27) admitted evidence submitted by an Indian investi­gating agency against businessman Vijay Mallya who faces extradition to India over defaulting in bank loans.

Mallya, 62, who appeared in Westminis­ter magistrates court in London, had his £650,000 bail extended until the next hear­ing on July 11. When the court reconvenes, oral submissions will be made on closing arguments to be submitted in writing to judge Emma Arbuthnot over the next two months. She is then expected to indicate plans for a verdict at the next hearing.

Mallya’s extradition trial, which opened at the London court on December 4 last year, is aimed at laying out a prima facie case of fraud against the businessman, who has been based in the UK since he left India in March 2016.

It also seeks to prove there are no “bars to extradition” and that the tycoon is as­sured a fair trial in India over his now-de­funct Kingfisher Airlines’ alleged default of over `9,000 crore in loans from a consorti­um of Indian banks.

The CPS, representing the Indian gov­ernment, has argued the evidence they have presented establishes “dishonesty” on Mallya’s part and there are no bars to him being extradited from the UK to face Indian courts.

Mallya’s defence team has deposed a series of expert witnesses to claim he had no “fraudulent” intentions and that he is unlikely to get a fair trial in India.

If the judge rules in favour of the Indian government, the UK home secretary will have two months to sign Mallya’s extradi­tion order. However, both sides will have the chance to appeal in higher courts in the UK against the verdict.