Page 40 - 28FEB2019E

column
News &
views
Bharat hiteshi
Hiteshi is an
independent journalist-
turned-author and a
political commentator.
The views expressed I tion giving him two weeks to
are his own
Mallya had no
intention of paying
back loans of over
Rs 5,500 crore to
a consortium of
banks even though
creditors agreed
to restructure
debt for his
Kingfisher Airlines,
investigations have
pointed out
If extradited, good times
may get over for Mallya
Though Vijay Mallya is a step closer to being shipped back home, the
Indian government needs to do all that is needed to help its cause
when the tycoon-turned-fugitive approaches judiciary in London
t is poetic justice as liquor baron ascertain the full particulars of his assets
Vijay Mallya is one step closer to and complete disclosure about the finan-
being shipped back to India. Brit- cial trail. The ED wants him to disclose
ish Home Secretary Sajid Javid has the relevant facts pertaining to receipt
signed the order for his extradi- and disbursement of loans to Kingfisher
Airlines Limited (KFA) along with other
lodge an appeal. And already he showed financial transactions. “This will set a
his intention to appeal with a tweet right example and other economic of-
on February 5, 2019, which read, “After fenders would desist from leaving the
the decision was handed down by the country.”
Westminster Court, I stated my intention Commenting on Mallya’s inten-
to appeal. I could not initiate the appeal tions to appeal, ED would defend. “If the
process before a decision by the Home appeal is admitted, we will defend. We
Secretary. Now I will initiate the appeal will apprise the court about the Fugitive
process”. Economic Offender tag,” said an officer
Notwithstanding the fate of his ap- of ED. It is a major setback to fugitive
peal, the government is closer to bring liquor baron Vijay Mallya. On December
back him back. And Mallya’s extradition 10, 2018, a UK court ruled Mallya guilty
would offer a huge win to the Prime and ordered his deportation to India.
Minister Narendra Modi, on the eve Now, the UK Home Office has upheld the
of the general election by May 2019. In lower court ruling.
December, ahead of the court ruling on A UK Home Office statement said that
the extradition order, Mallya had offered “On February 3, the Secretary of State,
to pay back the entire principal amount having carefully considered all relevant
of the loans that he owes several banks. matters, signed the order for Vijay
Mallya’s extradition to India. Mallya is
He had tweeted that he would repay
“100 per cent of the principal amount accused in India of conspiracy to
defraud, making false representations
to the banks. The “King of Good Times”,
Mallya had left India in March 2016 with and money laundering offenses.”
debts of more than 9,000 crores hanging when the government faces the Opposi-
The development comes at a time
over his head from his shuttered carrier
Kingfisher Airlines. tion’s wrath following the CBI raids in
The Enforcement Directorate also
said on February 5, 2019 that extradit- Kolkata against the city’s police commis-
sioner. Taking a jibe at political oppo-
ing fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya nents, Union Minister Arun Jaitley said,
to India from the UK, for multicrore “The Modi government clears one more
loan recovery cases by several banks,
step to get Mallya extradited.”
would pave way for a speedy trial in the Official sources had earlier said what
country. The ED said if the 63-year-old helped push India’s case was PM Naren-
businessman is brought back, he will be
dra Modi taking up the issue personally
lodged at Arthur Road Jail where a bar- with his counterpart Theresa May. In a
related development, the Enforcement
rack has been readied.
The ED wants Mallya’s presence to Directorate has told a special court that
Tehelka / 28 february 2019 40 www.Tehelka.com