Mumbaikars hail UK court's order to extradite Vijay Mallya

Hours after the Westminster Magistrates' Court in United Kingdom ordered the extradition of fugitive liquor baron Vijay Mallya, prominent Mumbaikars welcomed the development and said it would send a strong message to economic offenders.

Mallya is wanted for alleged bank fraud amounting to an estimated Rs 9,000 crore.

On Monday evening, Westminster Magistrates' Court Chief Magistrate Judge Emma Arbuthnot ordered his extradition.

Bureaucrat-turned-lawyer Abha Singh said Mallya's extradition would restore people's faith in Indian laws and also send a message to economic offenders that they couldn't walk away after cheating fellow countrymen.

She said it had made the country more powerful and would also help get other fugitive offenders like diamantaires Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi back to the country.

Nirav Modi and Choksi are accused of defrauding Punjab National Bank to the tune of Rs 13,000 crore.

BJP Lok Sabha MP BJP MP from Mumbai North-East Kirit Somaiya said, "The Modi government has got Vijay Mallya. This is the beginning of action. The Insolvency Code has started showing results. Essar Steel and Bhushan Steel issues have been resolved, and now action begins against ghotalebaj."