India 'satisfied' with UK court order on Mallya extradition

India on Monday expressed its satisfaction over a British court's judgement ordering the extradition of Indian industrialist Vijay Mallya to stand trial on charges of committing a Rs 9,000-crore bank loan fraud.

"We have seen the order of the court in the case of extradition of Mr Vijay Mallya to India," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said in response to queries from the media.

"We express our deep satisfaction at the judgement and note that justice has been delivered today," Kumar said.

"We thank the UK authorities for their help in this matter.

"We will continue to work with the UK government for expeditious implementation of today's court order and early extradition of Mallya to India."

The court ruling came six days after British national and middleman in the Rs 3,600-crore AgustaWestland VVIP chopper deal, Christian Michael, was extradited to India after his arrest in Dubai.

Mallya fled India in March 2016 over a Rs 9,000-crore bank loan fraud but he has repeatedly denied fleeing the country and said he was ready to pay back the money he owed to Indian banks.

Earlier, before appearing in the London court on Monday, Mallya told reporters: "Whatever the judgement, my legal team will review the judgement if required and take appropriate steps thereafter."

According to legal experts in the know, Mallya has 14 days to appeal at a Court of Appeal against the judgement.

--IANS

ab/nir