Vijay Mallya extradition LIVE updates: Never stole money; want to pay employees first\, says fugitive liquor baron

Vijay Mallya extradition LIVE updates: Fugitive liquor baron to be sent back to India

Before appearing in the court, Mallya told reporters he wanted to disprove the narrative that he "stole" the money and had made a settlement offer.

Fugitive liquor baron Vijay Mallya has reached the Westminster Magistrates' Court in London. The court will announce its judgment in the case of alleged fraud and money laundering charges amounting to over Rs 9,000 crore. Chief Magistrate Judge Emma Arbuthnot will also deliver a verdict on Vijay Mallya's extradition to India after a year-long trial.

Before appearing in the court, Vijay Mallya told reporters he wanted to disprove the narrative that he "stole" the money and had made a settlement offer. On being asked if his settlement offer of 100 per cent principal amount was genuine, Vijay Mallya said: "There is nothing genuine or ingenuine. Please understand that the offer has been made in a court of law. Nobody disrespects a court of law."

Also read: Vijay Mallya extradition hearing today in UK court: All you need to know

The 62-year-old former Kingfisher Airlines owner has been on bail since his arrest on an extradition warrant in April 2017. Following the Chief Magistrate's verdict, the UK Home Office for the Home Secretary, Sajid Javid, will announce the final order. Moreover, both the parties will have the right to file for a permission to appeal in the Chief Magistrate's ruling in the UK High Court.

Here are minute-to-minute details of the hearing in the case.

4.31pm: Vijay 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 keep his now-defunct airline afloat. During his last tweet on the issue, he said he was not him but the Kingfisher airlines borrowed the money.

4.25pm: During his interaction with reporters, Vijay Mallya says he was never "dismissive about payment concerning employees". "They are first my priority. For the last two years, we have made two applications in the court, urging the court to pay the amount to the employees. To say that I never wanted to pay the money is wrong. Again I am saying if the court accepts my settlement offer, pay the employees first," says Vijay Mallya.

4.09pm: Vijay Mallya says today's hearing on his extradition has nothing to do with the case related to the money owes to banks. "The assets have been attached by the ED, and they are in court. Yes I have tweeted saying I want to pay, including PSBs and employees. But that has nothing to do with the extradition case that is being heard today... and the judgement has nothing to do with the amount I have to pay to these banks."

4.05pm: Vijay Mallya says he has made the offer in a court of law.