Vijay Mallya loses appeal against extradition in UK high court, may try to move apex court

LONDON: Beleaguered liquor baron Vijay Mallya, who lost his appeal against extradition in the London high court and could be extradited to India within a couple of months, told TOI late on Monday that he was “naturally disappointed” he had lost his appeal.

“I will continue to pursue further legal remedies as advised by my lawyers. I am also disappointed with the media narrative which states that I must face trial in India for a fraud of Rs 9,000 crores. I have repeatedly offered to repay the banks in full but, sadly, to no avail,” Mallya said.

Mallya, who spends his time between his multi-million-pound terraced mansion in London and a sprawling estate in Hertfordshire once owned by F1 racing driver Lewis Hamilton’s father, could still appeal the high court decision on a legal point in the Supreme Court. He has 14 days to do that.

To appeal, he must ask the high court to certify a point of law of public importance and apply for permission to appeal to the Supreme Court at the high court. If they do certify but refuse permission to appeal to the Supreme Court, he has 14 days from that date to appeal to the Supreme Court.

A decision on whether to certify a point of law normally happens relatively quickly, though it could be delayed by the coronavirus pandemic. If the high court does not certify a point of law, then the Supreme Court has no jurisdi