Arthur Road Is Waiting: Huge Win For CBI As UK Court Orders Vijay Mallya’s Extradition To India

A court in the United Kingdom (UK) has ordered the extradition of fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya to India following a trial that took place over the course of nine months, ending in September, The Hindu has reported.

Chief Magistrate Judge Emma Arbuthnot delivered the verdict after a year-long trial.

The decision would now go to the UK Home Office for the Home Secretary, Sajid Javid, to pass an order based on the verdict with Mallya now having 14 days to appeal against the verdict.

India has been fighting a legal battle seeking the fugitive businessman’s extradition on the charges of fraud and money laundering amounting to Rs 9,000 crore. He has been on bail since his arrest.

A team led by Central Bureau of Investigation Joint Director A Sai Manohar is in London to attend the court proceedings.

Mallya has contested his extradition on the grounds that the case against him is "politically motivated" and the loans he has been accused of defrauding on were sought to rescue his now-defunct Kingfisher airline.

Meanwhile, authorities at the Arthur Road prison in Mumbai have kept a high security cell ready for Mallya if he is extradited.