With almost 50 days after a UK court ordered fugitive liquor baron Vijay Mallya’s extradition to India, British Home Secretary Sajid Javid has signed the order for completing the process. A UK Home Office spokesperson confirmed that the minister had signed Vijay Mallya’s extradition order on Sunday. Javid by law had to make a decision within two months of the day the case was sent to him.
United Kingdom Home Office: The Home Secretary has formally signed the extradition order for Vijay Mallya. Mallya can formally begin his appeal process. pic.twitter.com/trA3uHbFvK
— ANI (@ANI) February 4, 2019
The Official Spokesperson as quoted said by ANI, “On February 3, the Secretary of State, having carefully considered all relevant matters, signed the order for Vijay Mallya’s extradition to India. Vijay Mallya is accused in India of conspiracy to defraud, making false representations and money laundering offences.”
Mallya reacted on the development and posted, “After the decision was handed down on December 10, 2018 by the Westminster Magistrates Court, I stated my intention to appeal. I could not initiate the appeal process before a decision by the Home Secretary. Now I will initiate the appeal process”.
After the decision was handed down on December 10,2018 by the Westminster Magistrates Court, I stated my intention to appeal. I could not initiate the appeal process before a decision by the Home Secretary. Now I will initiate the appeal process.
— Vijay Mallya (@TheVijayMallya) February 4, 2019
However, there was no official statement from Central Government but sources in Ministry of External Affairs said: “We have taken note of the decision of the UK Home Secretary to sign on the order for Vijay Mallya’s extradition to India. While we welcome the UK government’s decision in the matter, we await the early completion of the legal process for his extradition”
Union Minister Arun Jaitley who is in the US for treatment hailed Central Government on twitter. He said in a tweet, “Modi Government clears one more step to get Mallya extradited while Opposition rallies around the Saradha scamsters “.
Modi Government clears one more step to get Mallya extradited while Opposition rallies around the Saradha Scamsters.
— Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) February 4, 2019
Earlier in December last year, London’s Westminster Magistrates Court orders the extradition of Vijay Mallya to India who is wanting in India for alleged default on Rs. 9,000 crore loans for Kingfisher airlines. Chief Magistrate Judge Emma Arbuthnot has found prima facie a case against Vijay Mallya for fraud, conspiracy and money laundering.
In March 2016, Banks snipped that he might flee the country and syndicate of banks approached SC to put a ban on Mallya leaving the country. Mallaya, however, had already left the country, taking refuge near London.
While on January 5 this year, The special Prevention of Money Laundry Act (PMLA) court on Saturday declared Liquor Baron Vijay Mallya as a ‘fugitive economic offender’ under new anti-corruption law empowering agencies to confiscate Mallya’s property.
Business Baron Vijay Mallya is also facing multiple of cases of Money laundering in the United Kingdom after India initiated extradition against him. Both the Investigation Agencies – ED and CBI had filed multiple cases against him accusing of a financial defaulter.