A four-member team led by CBI Additional Director Rakesh Asthana will apprise British authorities about the finer points of the loan default cases against Mallya, CBI sources said. Two senior ED officials are also part of the team, they said. pti file photo
Officials from the CBI and Enforcement Directorate (ED) have reached London to brief British authorities about cases against businessman Vijay Mallya, who is facing extradition from the United Kingdom.
Two each officials from the CBI and ED are part of the team, led by CBI Additional Director Rakesh Asthana. They will provide British authorities about the loan default cases against Mallya, who owes around Rs 9,400 crore to a consortium of banks.
The Indian team's visit to London is to aid the British prosecutors with case details to counter the arguments to be put forward by Mallya's legal team. The CBI and ED are not party to the case on extradition of Mallya to India.
Mallya (61) was arrested on April 18 on India's request for his extradition in connection with defaulting Rs 900 crore loan given by the IDBI Bank. He was granted bail soon and the court fixed May 17 as the next date of hearing.
The extradition from the UK is a lengthy process as the legal system provides a number of safeguards for the person whose extradition is sought. First, a judge would see if there is a need to issue a warrant and if it is issued, the person is presented before the court for a preliminary hearing and then an extradition hearing.
Following this, the Secretary of State would take a call on the matter. The person can appeal to higher courts against extradition also. The United Kingdom, before taking any decision on extradition, would examine whether the person to be extradited is at the risk of death penalty among other things.