UK Clears Vijay Mallya's Extradition

The United Kingdom Home Secretary Sajid Javid today signed the order to extradite liquor baron Vijay Mallya to India, reported the Economic Times.

"The UK Home Office confirmed that Sajid Javid — having carefully considered all relevant matters — signed the order on Monday, February 4", said the ET Report.

On December 10, the Westminister Magistrate's Court in London, United Kingdom, ordered the extradition of businessman Vijay Mallya to India. Chief Magisrate Judge Emma Arbhuthnot accepted India's demand for Mallya's extradition on charges of fraud and money laundering.

Mallya has the option of appealing to the higher court against the extradition order.

He has dues worth Rs.9,000 crores to Indian banks.He was declared a Fugitive Economic Offender by a special court under the FEO Act on January 5.

The Enforcement Directorate had moved the special court for FEOA for this purpose. The agency had requested the court that Mallya, currently in the United Kingdom, be declared a fugitive and his properties be confiscated and brought under the control of the Union government as provided under the act

 "The application of the ED is partly allowed. Vijay Mallya is declared as Fugitive Economic Offender under section 12 (i) of the FEO Act," said judge M S Azmi in the order.

Under the FEO Act, a person can be declared a Fugitive Economic Offender if a warrant has been issued against him for an offence involving an amount of Rs 100 crore or more and he has left the country and refuses to return.