Indian businessman arrested in London

MUMBAI/NEW DELHI: Indian businessman Vijay Mallya, who has been pursued by authorities over unpaid loans tied to his now defunct Kingfisher Airlines, was arrested in London yesterday, the Metropolitan Police said in a statement.

Mallya, 61, was arrested on behalf of the Indian authorities in relation to accusations of fraud, and would be presented in Westminster Magistrates Court later yesterday, the statement added.

India had asked Britain to extradite Mallya to face trial after the liquor and aviation tycoon fled there last March after banks sued to recover about $1.4 billion that Indian authorities say Kingfisher owes.