Proof of deception, fraud against Mallya: India in UK court
LONDON : The now defunct Kingfisher Airlines owned by controversial businessman Vijay Mallya “knowingly misrepresented” its profitability while seeking bank loans in 2009, India submitted in the high court of England and Wales hearing his extradition appeal on Wednesday.
Besides, Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), on behalf of India, on Wednesday insisted that there is “overwhelming” evidence of fraud and deception on the part of controversial businessman Vijay Mallya who is facing extradition to face charges of major financial offences.
Mark Summers, CPS lawyer, reminded Justice Irwin and Justice Elisabeth Laing of the high court of England and Wales that in extradition cases, British courts are solely required to establish whether the person requested has a prima facie case to answer, not to establish the truth. To that extent, he argued, the Westminster Magistrates Court had taken into account all relevant documents and had ruled in December 2018 that Mallya had a prima facie case to answer and that he needed to be extradited to India to face trial.
“There was concealment of material while seeking loans from IDBI. Funds were disbursed contrary to the purposes the loans were given,” Summers said, seeking to counter specific arguments of Mallya’s team about admissibility of evidence and other grounds.
Mallya’s lawyer Claire Montgomery continued forensic arguments against the magistrates court’s judgement. The hearing will continue till Thursday.