India's extradition magistrate's verdict has many flaws: Mallya's lawyers claim

(PTI) London, Ta. February 11, 2020, Tuesday

A drunken businessman Vijay Mallya, who is facing extradition in India on charges of cheating and money laundering of Rs 9000 crore, appeared in London's Royal Court of Justice today.

Mallya's appeal against extradition to India was heard in court today. During the hearing, Mallya's lawyers claimed that the magistrate's order on extradition had several flaws.

The 64-year-old Mallya, former head of Kingfisher Airlines, was arrested in London in April 2017. He has since been released on bail.

They are currently out on bail. Mallya's attorneys told Justice Stephen Irwin and Justice Leung that the verdict in support of the extradition of Chief Magistrate Emma Arbuthnot in December 2018 contained several shortcomings.

Mallya's lawyer, Claire Montgomery, said when Mallya took a loan from the banks, his intention was not to cheat with the banks. The prosecutor further stated that Justice Emma Arbuthnot gave the verdict without verifying all the evidence.

There will be a three-day hearing on Mallya's appeal. The Crown Prosecution Service will make arguments tomorrow on behalf of the Government of India. Representatives from the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) were also present in the court.

It is worth mentioning that in February last year, former Home Secretary of Britain Sajid Javid allowed Mallya to appeal against the extradition order. Mallya's lawyers will also challenge the Indian government's claim that the barracks 12 in Mumbai's Arthur Road Jail are completely safe. Mallya was granted 2 bail under a condition of 6.5 million pounds in 2017 including a bond and travel ban.