UK refuses to deport Mallaya, may think on extradition

New Delhi: In a momentary set back to Indian investigating agencies, the High Commission has received a note verbale from its British counterpart in which the United Kingdom has expressed its inability to deport Vijay Mallaya.

It came despite the Indian External Affairs ministry has already revoked the diplomatic passport of Mallya on April 24 last. The Indian agencies had sought deportation of once a liquor baron Mallaya to expedite the probe into the cases related to his company Kingfisher Airlines’ bank loan default to the tune of Rs 9400 crore.

Vijay Mallaya must take it as a breather for the moment but the UK has agreed to consider his extradition on the request of Indian government under provisions of 1993 treaty which also said that ‘’An offence may be an extradition offence notwithstanding that it relates to taxation or revenue or is one of a purely fiscal character.’’

Both the countries are also under Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty signed in 1992.