JOIN USExtradition of Mallya being raised at highest level, Centre tells SC
The Union government on Monday told the Supreme Court that the matter related to the extradition of fugitive industrialist Vijay Mallya was being raised with the United Kingdom authorities at the highest level.
The UK government has refused to share the details of the confidential proceedings, it said.
"We are trying our best. However, the status remains the same. From the political executive level to administrative level, the matter is being looked into repeatedly at the highest level," Solicitor General Tushar Mehta submitted before a bench of Justices U U Lalit and Ashok Bhushan.
He said in December 2020, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar raised the issue with UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab and most recently in January 2021, the Home Secretary of India raised it with the UK Permanent Secretary of Home.
UK's response, however, remained the same, Mehta added.
He pointed out in November last year the foreign secretary of India raised the issue of Mallya extradition with UK Home Secretary Priti Patel, who responded that the UK's legal complexities were preventing quick extradition.
Mehta submitted that the Indian government has been informed that there was a further legal issue that needs to be resolved before Mallya can be extradited.
"Under United Kingdom law, extradition cannot take place until it is resolved. As it is judicial in nature, the issue is confidential, and you will understand that Her Majesty's government cannot provide any more details," Mehta said, referring to an official response from the UK.
After his submissions, the bench posted the matter, related to contempt proceedings against Mallya, for consideration on March 15.
Mallya evaded law enforcement authorities here on defaulting repayment of Rs 9,000 crore loan and stayed at the United Kingdom. He has suffered setbacks after the court over there in May allowed for his extradition.
His date of return, however, still remained uncertain due to undisclosed legal issues.
The top court had in August 2020 dismissed a review petition filed by Mallya against his conviction in a contempt case in 2017, for failing to disclose the transfer of 40 million USD to his children's accounts despite an order against it.