‘Best assurance’ from UK
INDIA’S foreign secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said last Saturday (24) that India has made its best case against businessman Vijay Mallya who is wanted in the country for defaulting on bank loans.
The Indian government has the “best assurance” from the UK authorities of Mallya’s extradition to face charges of fraud and money laundering related to unpaid loans to his now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines, Shringla said.
During his two-day visit to the UK, Shringla held meetings with Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) officials to also review the Roadmap 2030 strategy for an enhanced UK-India partnership.
Consular matters such as the extradition of economic offenders wanted in India to face charges were also raised during discussions.
“We have been given to understand that there is a process in place and that the British side is working on his (Mallya) extradition based on that process,” Shringla said, in response to a question over the delay in Mallya’s extradition, which is believed to be undergoing a “confidential” asylum application process after all legal appeals were exhausted last year.
“We have no reason to doubt that assurance that this man wanted for economic offences in India, owes a lot of money in India has to be returned to the country. We have made our best case and they have given their best assurance,” he added.
“I reminded them about a quick decision on the extradition of economic offenders such as Vijay Mallya and Nirav Modi. I also pointed out that criminals like Jayesh Patel were in custody and he needs to be deported to India as soon as possible. He is here on fake identity documents, there is need for him to face justice back in India,” the foreign secretary added.
While Nirav Modi is seeking permission to appeal against his extradition in the high court in London, Patel – wanted in India for murder and around 50 criminal offences – is fighting his extradition at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London since his arrest earlier this year.
India’s high commissioner to the UK, Gaitri Issar Kumar, said the Indian mission in London has been keeping the pressure on over Mallya’s extradition.
The foreign secretary confirmed the first UK-India consular dialogue is scheduled for September, when issues such as student visa processes are to be discussed.