In a big boost to India's attempt to extradite financial fugitive and liquor?baron Vijay Mallya who syphoned off Rs 9000 crores of the public money, a UK Court has ordered his extradition on Monday in London. However, Mallya still has the option to approach the higher court.?
He left India in 2016 and is on a self-imposed exile in London ever since.
Chief Magistrate Judge Emma Arbuthnot gave the verdict. The decision would now go to the UK Home Officer who will pass order based on the verdict of the court. The verdict also allows either party to approach the UK High Court.
Mallya had recently shown an inclination towards settling the loan via a tweet,? "Wherever I am physically, my appeal is 'please take the money'. I want to stop the narrative that I stole money," he had tweeted last week.
"I did not borrow a single rupee. The borrower was Kingfisher Airlines. Money was lost due to a genuine and sad business failure. Being held as guarantor is not fraud," he tweeted.?
Earlier Mallya argued that his extradition shouldn¡¯t be allowed as Indian jails are not good enough to lodge him, in reply India had to submit a video of Barrack 12 of Arthur Road Jail where he is to be kept.?