Vijay Mallya's extradition trial to face fraud and money laundering charges of `9,000 crore in India resumed on Monday, with his defence fielding a legal expert to question the impartiality of India's judicial system and the media.
The 61-year-old was back in the dock at Westminster Magistrates' Court in london for day four of the hearing when his barrister, Clare Montgomery, deposed Dr Martin lau to give his views on the evidence presented by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Indian Supreme Court rulings.
“I hold the Supreme Court in the highest respect but it is equally not disrespectful to indicate that some doubts are voiced about particular patterns [in judgments],” Dr lau, an expert on South Asian law, told court. Montgomery also asked him for his views on the impact intense media coverage of the case could have on a trial in India.
“There is an increasing concern in India about media trials,” lau said, claiming that the fairness of any trial of Mallya in India had been cast into doubt. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), arguing on behalf of the Indian Government.