Keep Dreaming About a Billion Pounds: Mallya After Court Hearing
The absconding business tycoon claimed he has “enough evidence to plead his case”
Vijay Mallya, the absconding business tycoon wanted in India on loan defaults to several banks, claimed he has "enough evidence" to plead his case and taunted authorities saying, “You can keep dreaming about a billion pounds,” in response to a reporter’s question about him owing that amount in loans.
Chief Magistrate Emma Louise Arbuthnot granted bail to Mallya until 4 December. The next hearing has been set for 6 July.
Mallya was arrested by Scotland Yard in April and has been out on bail, which was further extended until 4 December also tentatively fixed as the final date of hearing in the case.
Mallya claimed that no loans were diverted anywhere.
Mallya's defence team, which is being led by the firm Joseph Hague Aaronson LLP, said a second extradition request is expected from the Indian government.
He urged the judge to put barriers for the media outside the court for future hearings, to which the judge responded by excusing Mallya from the next court appearance while she looks into her authority to impose such barriers.
Britain's Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), represented by Aaron Watkins, presented the case in court on behalf of the Indian authorities and pushed for a final hearing date in December.
Video Editor: Sandeep Suman
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