Almost all Indian government evidence admitted in Mallya extradition case

In a seeming setback to Vijay Mallya’s bid to avoid extradition to India, Westminster Magistrate’s Court has admitted almost all the evidence presented by the Indian government to support its charges of fraud and money laundering against the former head of United Spirits.

(Photo: Wiki)

Mallya’s defence team had claimed that many of the documents submitted by India’s legal authorities were flawed and should be disregarded.

The magistrate, Emma Arbuthnot, said, that they should be considered in the case but that she was “sitting on the fence” about the admissibility of emails that the defence claimed were privileged interaction between Mallya and his lawyer about “legal advice”.

The prosecution says those disputed emails indicate Mallya had fraudulent plans to avoid his liabilities to the banks and will seek to give them further validity over the next 10 days.

The case, which began on 4 December, will return to court on 11 July when the magistrate will hear final verbal submissions on written closing positions that will be submitted over the next two months.

It is probable that the court will then set a final date for a ruling, which will likely come about a year after Mallya’s formal arrest by the Metropolitan Police in August 2017. The case is then almost certain to start a process of appeal hearings to higher courts.

Mallya, who is wanted in India to face charges of fraud and money laundering amounting to around £1.15 billion, is currently on a bail of £650,000, which has been extended until the court reconvenes.

He has consistently denied all the charges, claiming he is the victim of a political witch hunt. He said outside the court last Friday: “The media have already married me and put me in jail.”

His long-term girlfriend, Pinky Lalwani, arrived with him. Outside court, when asked if she had married Mallya or not, she said, “Maybe I have.” Mallya refused to comment.