The Westminster Court on Tuesday, 31 July, granted bail to Liquor baron Vijay Mallya and set 12 September as the next date of hearing for the extradition case. However, the Indian government will have to submit a video of the jail, where Mallya will be lodged, for the court to assess its condition.
Mallya has, in his defence, raised objections saying that the pictures of the jail, submitted by the Indian government, were fabricated, CNN-News18 reported. The Indian government, on the other hand, has assured the UK court that the condition of the Arthur Road Jail was "improving".
The liquor baron, before the hearing, had a small interaction with the media outside court premises. "I have made a comprehensive settlement offer before the Karnataka High Court. There are over Rs 14,000 crores worth of assets I have placed before the court. I have requested the court to sell these assets under judicial supervision, pay the banks, pay all the creditors so that everybody is happy," Mallya said.
He maintained that the charges of money laundering against him were "completely false", adding that the assets are before the court, and "I am at the hands of the court, I hope this will all end. That's it."
Mallya, after the court granted him bail, said that he hadn't applied for the clemency, and he was ready to settle his dues.
The entire sum is to be determined. Assets can’t be attached for the complaints filed by banks. They can’t be sold. Let the judiciary decide what’s right.Vijay Mallya
Mallya is facing money laundering and conspiracy allegations for which the Indian government seeks his extradition. Mallya, who calls UK his second home, will be able to appeal if the court rules against him.
(With inputs from Associated Press)
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