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We can't deport Vijay Mallya, extradition is possible : UK tells India

by IBNS 11 May 2016, 07:46 am

New Delhi, May 11 (IBNS) In a setback for India's efforts for a faster investigation into the Vijya Mallya case, Britain has said that it cannot depor the liquor baron under its laws, reports said.

However, the UK has acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations against him and has offered to help extradite him, which may be possible.  

"The UK Government has informed us that under the 1971 Immigration Act, the UK does not require an individual to hold a valid passport in order to remain in the UK if they have extant leave to remain as long as their passport was valid when leave to remain or enter the UK was conferred," the ministry of external affairs said in a statement.

 Vijay Mallya, whose passport was cancelled last month, is wanted in connection with the unpaid bank loans- running into multi-billion dollars-  taken for the now defunct Kingfisher Airlines, of which he was the Chairman.

. New Delhi had formally requested London that he be deported, which is faster than the process of extradition under a treaty between two governments.

"The UK acknowledges the seriousness of the allegations and is keen to assist Government of India. They have asked us to consider requesting mutual legal assistance or extradition," the foreign ministry said.

 Mallya, whose resignation as a member of the Rajya Sabha has recently been accepted,  is also being investigated for money-laundering. 

He flew  to London on March 2 this year as banks attempted to recover the money and  he  ignored a series of orders to return to India to face investigations and his creditors.