Absconding liquid baron Vijay Mallya appeared at London’s Westminster Magistrates Court on Monday, 20 November, where he reportedly claimed that he was being made a political victim, much like Robert Vadra and Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh. The court has confirmed Mallya’s extradition hearing for eight days, starting 4 December.
According to Times of India, Mallya – in a statement – cited ‘inhuman jail conditions’ in India, while also drawing parallels between himself, Vadra and Singh by attaching news reports of Congress alleging that Vadra and Singh were made the targets of ‘political vendetta’ by the Centre.
In response, the Enforcement Directorate said that Mallya was diverting attention with statements based out of media reports, rather than focussing on the issue at hand.
Mallya appeared at London’s Westminster’s Magistrates Court on 20 November for the pre-trial hearing on the extradition case. Mallya’s side argued that he feared for his life in India, prompting the prosecution to now prepare a submission outlining the Indian government’s measures ensuring his security.
The 61-year-old businessman, out on bail on an extradition warrant executed by Scotland Yard earlier this year, had been exempt from appearing before the court until his extradition trial, scheduled to begin 4 December.
He has repeatedly stressed that he has done nothing wrong and will let the evidence speak in court.
The UK's Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), which is arguing the case against Mallya on behalf of the Indian authorities, had presented additional "supplemental" charges of money laundering to the previous charges of fraud at the last hearing in the case on 3 October.
The previous fraud charges relate to Mallya's now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines owing more than Rs 9,000 crore to various Indian banks.
The UB Group chief has been on self-imposed exile in the UK since he fled India on 2 March 2016.
(With inputs from PTI)
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