Vijay Mallya loses application in UK HC to appeal in SC against extradition order
The London High Court on Thursday rejected fugitive liquor baron Vijay Mallya's plea seeking to challenge his extradition to India before the UK Supreme Court. This UK HC's decision came as a major setback for the business tycoon as it was his final appeal against the extradition order on charges of fraud and money laundering related to unrecovered loans to his now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines. Mallya can now be extradited to India in 28 days.
The 64-year-old businessman had 14 days to file this application to seek permission to move the higher court on the High Court judgment from April 20, which dismissed his appeal against a Westminster Magistrates' Court's extradition order certified by the UK Home Secretary.
Mallya has exhausted all legal remedies and he has no options left in the United Kingdom and will likely be extradited to India within 28 days. The UK home secretary Priti Patel is likely to take a final call and has to sign the extradition papers within 28 days.
The UK Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said Mallya's appeal to certify a point of law was rejected on all three counts, of hearing oral submissions, grant a certificate on the questions as drafted, and grant permission to appeal to the Supreme Court.
The Indian government's response to the appeal application had been submitted earlier this week.
The leave to appeal to the Supreme Court is on a point of law of general public importance, which according to experts is a very high threshold that is not often met.
(With inputs from PTI)
