New Delhi: In a huge setback to India’s efforts to get back Vijay Mallya, who is pro-bed on charges of money laundering, Britain on Wednesday told India that the liquor baron cannot be deported and asked India to instead consider seeking his extradition.
But the British government said it acknowledges “the seriousness of allegations” against Mr Mallya and was “keen to assist” the Indian government. India is likely to begin the lengthy process of requesting Britain for extradition under the 1993 treaty between the two countries despite the fact that no one has been extradited by Britain so far under the treaty.
The British government’s response came nearly a fortnight after India made a request for the deportation of Mallya, whose Indian passport was revoked in a bid to secure his presence for investigation against him under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
In the Rajya Sabha, finance minister Arun Jaitley said India will now have to initiate an extradition process after a chargesheet is filed to bring back the embattled tycoon to face money laundering charges as well as recovery of the Rs 9,400 crore of loans to his defunct Kingfisher Airlines.
Cancellation of passport “does not result in automatic deportation; that is the stand taken by UK,” Mr. Jaitley said. The finance minister said public sector banks are making all efforts to recover the loans and investigating agencies are inquiring into violations of law.
MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup said, “The UK government has informed us that under the 1971 Immigration Act, the UK does not require an individual to hold a valid passport in order to remain in the UK if they have extant leave to remain as long as their passport was valid when leave to remain or enter the UK was conferred.
At the same time the UK acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations and is keen to assist India. They have asked India to consider requesting mutual legal assistance or extradition.”
