Govt trying to extradite Mallya from UK: Jaitley

On a day when the UK government told India that Vijay Mallya could not be deported under its laws, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Wednesday said in Rajya Sabha that the government was trying to bring back the liquor baron through extradition as public sector banks that had given loans to him are seeking his arrest.

Jaitley said that probe agencies are looking into the crimes committed by the industrialist in India. 

JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav asked what were the government’s plans as Britain had made it clear that it could not deport Mallya.

Meanwhile, political parties on Wednesday asked the government to take up Mallya’s case with the UK government seriously. Talking to media outside Parliament, Congress leader Pramod Tiwari said the government should make every effort to bring back Mallya.

JD(U) leader KC Tyagi said the government should enforce its laws effectively in the case. He said, “India and the UK should work together in this direction.” 

Meanwhile, MoS for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi stressed that the government would leave no stone unturned to bring back Mallya and Indian authorities were working in this regard.

On Wednesday, the UK informed the government that they could not comply with India’s request to deport him, but were ready to consider the option of Mallya’s extradition.

“The UK government has informed 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,” said Vikas Swarup, spokesperson, Ministry of External Affairs’s (MEA).

However, the UK has acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations and has expressed its keenness to assist India in the matter and asked the government to consider requesting mutual legal assistance or extradition.