UK’s Home Secretary approves extradition of former ‘Indian Empress’ owner Vijay Mallya

The UK’s Home Secretary Sajid Javid has approved the extradition to India of former superyacht owner and Indian multi-millionaire Vijay Mallya.

In December 2018 Westminster Magistrates Court ordered that Mallya can be deported to India to face allegations of money laundering and fraud.

Procedures announced by the judge on 10th December 2018 meant that the final decision would be made by the home secretary. Under the court rules Javid had two months to make a decision. That court order would have expired this week meaning Mallya could have applied to be discharged.

A Home Office spokesperson said: “On February 3, the Secretary of State, having carefully considered all relevant matters, signed the order for Vijay Mallya’s extradition to India.

“Vijay Mallya is accused in India of conspiracy to defraud, making false representations and money laundering offences,”

Mallya now has 14 days to appeal the decision.

After the government’s announcement, through his Twitter account Mallya said:

“After the decision was handed down on December 10, 2018 by the Westminster Magistrates Court, I stated my intention to appeal. I could not initiate the appeal process before a decision by the Home Secretary. Now I will initiate the appeal process.”

In September 2018 Mallya’s superyacht Indian Empress was sold for 35 million euros by the Maltese courts to generate funds to pay creditors and crew. Mallya abandoned the yacht in September 2017.

According to Business Today, on being informed of the Home Secretary’s decision an Indian government source said: “We have taken note of the decision of the UK Home Secretary to sign on the order for Vijay Mallya’s extradition to India.

“While we welcome the UK Government’s decision in the matter, we await the early completion of the legal process for his extradition.”

The legal process for extradition could roll on for many months if Mallya’s appeal is accepted.