Mallya tells media he’s at The Oval ‘to watch the game’, evades questions on court hearing

LONDON: Flamboyant liquor tycoon Vijay Mallya, who is fighting extradition to India over allegations of fraud and money-laundering, arrived at the Oval on Sunday with his ex-Kingfisher air hostess girlfriend Pinky Lalwani to watch India face Australia.
He stepped out of a chauffeur-driven pristine cream Bentley, the same car he has been spotted in at Silverstone, to be confronted by scores of Indian TV crews. He used to arrive at Westminster magistrates’ court, where he stood trial for alleged crimes connected to Rs 11,000 crore worth of loans that his collapsed Kingfisher Airlines never repaid, in a more subdued black Land Rover.
Asked how preparations for his court hearing are going, Mallya said: “Preparations will go on, but here today I have come to watch he match and support the Indian cricket team. See you later.” He then was inundated with further questions which he evaded. He entered the cricket gate, turned around and said: “I am here to watch the game.”
The fugitive businessman’s next hearing at the high court, on July 2, will determine whether he can appeal his extradition order.
Lalwani sneaked into the ground dressed in a fur gilet body-warmer, red shirt and shades, with her hair tied back, whilst her long-term partner spoke to the waiting Indian media.
Mallya arrived perfectly dressed for a British society event in a pale blue summer suit, an open-neck striped stiff-collar shirt under a blue waist jacket and a thick chain around his neck to watch the two favourites in the heavyweight contest. He did not look pleased to be immediately confronted by Indian camera crews.
A reporter said: “What are India's chances today?” He replied: “Well, you know who I am supporting. I am dressed all in blue,” as passersby gathered to shoot him on their mobiles.
A reporter then asked: “I seem to remember you bought Australian cricketer Mitchell Starc on one occasion?” “Yeah, he played for the Royal Challengers. He is an absolutely world-class bowler,” Mallya replied.
The July 2 hearing is critical as, if he loses it, he has almost run out of options and could be put on a plane and sent back to India any day after that but within 28 days. Unless he gets leave to appeal, he cannot approach the Supreme Court either.
Ben Keith, an extradition barrister at 5 St Andrew's Hill, said, “His only option, if he loses this next hearing, is to get a Rule 39 from the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). This is an injunction preventing his removal until the ECHR judgment on his case, which could take up to five years. It is quite hard to get a Rule 39. Normally it is granted in 48 hours. It is only granted in cases where there is real risk of harm to an individual. At the ECHR he would have to prove something like torture in an Indian jail, that he would have an unfair trial or that charges were politically motivated.”