The UK Home Office has confirmed the receipt of the Westminster Magistrates’ Court verdict in favour of Vijay Mallya’s extradition to India. After Chief Magistrate Judge Emma Arbuthnot ruled that the “flashy” liquor baron had a “case to answer” in the Indian courts on allegations of fraud and money laundering amounting to nearly Rs 9,000 crore, the decision now lies with Home Secretary Sajid Javid to formally order the extradition.
Javid, the senior-most British-Pakistani Minister in the UK Cabinet, has two months to make that decision but the extradition process itself would take longer if the entire appeals process is taken into account.
The UK Home Office said on Tuesday it has received the Westminster Magistrates’ Court verdict for Mallya’s extradition to India.
“If after considering the case, the Home Secretary thinks extradition should go ahead he has to order the extradition within two months of the date the matter was referred to him,” said a spokesperson for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), which argued on behalf of the Indian Government.
“Whatever that decision, the losing side has up to 14 days within which to approach the High Court and seek leave to appeal,” the spokesperson said.