India win as UK Home Office approves Vijay Mallya's extradition

London: The UK Home Office has approved the extradition of fugitive liqour baron Vijay Mallya to India who is a defaulter of loan amounting to Rs 9,000 crore he had taken for his now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines.

UK Home Office Spokesperson said, "Having carefully considering all relevant matters against Mallya, the Secretary of State, on Feb 3, has signed the order for his extradition to India."

Mallya, however, has 14 days time to appeal against his extradition in a higher court.

The Westminster Magistrates Court in the UK on December 10 gave the ruling to extradite Mallya following a prolonged litigation.

Mallya's extradition order comes couple of days after he questioned the Indian judicial system and claimed that his properties worth over Rs. 13,000 crore have been attached in India, which was more than the 'claimed' Rs. 9,000 crore that he "ran away with".

“The DRT Recovery Officer recently attaches my group assets worth over Rs. 13,000 crore in India on behalf of the Consortium of Banks. Yet the narrative is that I ran away with the claimed amount of Rs. 9,000 crore causing loss to the Public Sector Banks. Where is justice or fair play?,” asked Mallya, 63, who fled to India in March 2016.

He added, "Every morning I wake up to yet another attachment by the DRT recovery officer. Value already crossed 13,000 crores. Banks claim dues including all interest of 9,000 crores which is subject to review. How far will this go and well beyond ? Justified ??"