Mallya case: CBI gets boost on evidence admissibility, next hearing on July 11

Press Trust of India  |  London 

The bulk of the evidence submitted by Indian authorities against embattled liquor tycoon was today admitted by a in connection with his ongoing trial.

When the court reconvenes, oral submissions will be made on closing arguments to be submitted in writing to of the over the next two months.

The is then expected to indicate plans for a verdict in the case at the next hearing.

Earlier, was back in court for the hearing during which the (CBI) got a boost as the confirmed that the bulk of the evidence submitted by the Indian authorities will be admissible.

Today's hearing comes days after the Indian government's appeal against a previous Westminster ruling that had been denied.

UK-based Sanjeev Kumar Chawla, wanted in as a key accused in the cricket match-fixing scandal involving former South African in 2000, had been discharged in October last year on human rights grounds over severe conditions in Delhi's Tihar Jail, where the accused was to be held on being extradited.

had based her verdict to discharge Chawla largely upon the testimony of Dr Alan Mitchell, former at the and an elected member of the (CPT).

Mallya's defence team has previously deposed the same prisons expert in his case, who told Arbuthnot during the course of the trial that conditions in all Indian jails are "far from satisfactory".

During the last hearing in the case in March, CPS barrister reiterated that the had provided further clarifications related to availability of natural light and medical assistance at Barrack 12 of on Arthur Road, where is to be held if he is extradited from the UK.

The trial, which opened at the on December 4 last year, is aimed at laying out a prima facie case of fraud against Mallya, who has been based in the UK since he left in March 2016.

It also seeks to prove there are no "bars to extradition" and that the tycoon is assured a fair trial in over his now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines' alleged default of over Rs 9,000 crore in loans from a consortium of Indian banks.

The CPS, representing the Indian government, has argued that the evidence they have presented establishes "dishonesty" on the part of the and that there are no bars to him being extradited from the UK to face Indian courts.

Mallya's defence team has deposed a series of expert witnesses to claim he had no "fraudulent" intentions and that he is unlikely to get a fair trial in

If the rules in favour of the Indian government, the UK will have two months to sign Mallya's order.

However, both sides will have the chance to appeal in higher courts in the UK against the verdict.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First Published: Fri, April 27 2018. 17:35 IST