London: Liquor baron Vijay Mallya was arrested in London today for the second time this year before being released on bail, in a case of money laundering filed by the Enforcement Directorate. Mr Mallya was out on bail after his arrest in April following India’s extradition request.
The 61-year-old tycoon, who has been staying in the UK for over a year now, is accused of defaulting on loans worth thousands of crores in India. He slipped out of the country in March last year, amid attempts by a group of banks to recover more than Rs. 9,000 crore loaned to him for his now-collapsed Kingfisher Airlines.
India made an extradition request in February to Britain to send back the businessman to face trial. Indian agencies followed up the request with a 2,000-page dossier as evidence against Mr Mallya.
Last month, the fugitive submitted his response to India’s request in a large box which had four reports. The extradition case will be taken up in December.
Mr Mallya is in Britain on an “indefinite leave to remain” visa or on permanent residence after India cancelled his passport.
The businessman faces at least half a dozen arrest warrants back in India.
Known for his lavish lifestyle, Vijay Mallya has repeatedly defied summons by courts and investigators in India but has been a regular at public events in Britain, especially to root for the Formula One team that he owns.
