Setback for Mallya

London: A UK High Court judge has issued an enforcement order in favour of a consortium of 13 Indian banks, seeking to recover funds owed to them by beleaguered liquor baron Vijay Mallya who is fighting extradition to India on fraud and money laundering charges worth nearly 9,000 crore.

London, July 5: A UK High Court judge has issued an order in favour of a consortium of Indian banks, granting permission to the British Enforcement Officer to enter the properties of Vijay Mallya in Hertfordshire, near London, in a setback to the beleaguered liquor baron who is fighting extradition to India on fraud and money laundering charges worth nearly `9,000 crore.

The order permits the UK High Court Enforcement Officer and his agents entry to Ladywalk and Bramble Lodge in Tewin, Welwyn, where Mallya is currently based.

However, it is not an instruction to enter, which means the banks have the option to use the order as one of the means to recover estimated funds of around £1.145 billion.

“The High Court Enforcement Officer, including any enforcement agents acting under his authority, may enter Ladywalk, Queen Hoo Lane, Tewin, Welwyn and Bramble Lodge, Queen Hoo Lane, Tewin, Welwyn, including all outbuildings of Ladywalk and Bramble Lodge to search for and take control of goods belonging to the First Defendant (Mallya),” notes the order by Justice Byran, dated June 26.