Why India is discussing Mallya's extradition with France
The Indian government is reportedly seeking the extradition of fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya from France, The Indian Express reported. This request was made during a recent meeting between the counter-terrorism working groups of both countries. Mallya, an accused in a bank loan default case of over ₹9,000 crore in India, is believed to have been in the United Kingdom since March 2016. Here, we try to understand why India is turning to France when Mallya is in UK:
Why does this story matter?
India has been vigorously pursuing Mallya's extradition, particularly in nations where he owns property and extradition treaties are in place, such as France. Weeks ago, India and the UK also discussed the need to expedite action under the mutual legal assistance treaty and prioritize extradition cases involving fugitives. Apart from Mallya, diamantaire Nirav Modi, and arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari, separatists from Punjab and wanted terrorist sympathizers are allegedly holed up in the UK.
Indian team requested update on proposal to France
During the meeting, the Indian team, led by KD Dewal from the Ministry of External Affairs, requested an update on the status of India's extradition proposal to France. "The French offered a (extradition) proposal with some preconditions (but) India asked them to approve the proposal without any preconditions," a source told The Indian Express. On the French side, Ambassador Olivier Caron, a special envoy for counter-terrorism and organized crime, led the team.
Mallya purchased properties worth ₹330 crore in England, France: CBI
France joined the long list of countries with which India shares extradition treaties in 2023. Such a treaty allows a country to transfer a person accused of an extraditable offense so that he/she can be tried. Last year, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) stated in its supplemental chargesheet that Mallya purchased properties worth ₹330 crore in England and France during 2015-16, despite the fact that his Kingfisher Airlines was experiencing a cash shortage at the time.
Extradition efforts underway
Since India has an extradition pact with France and Mallya has properties there, India's request could prove beneficial should the promoter of Kingfisher Airlines enter the European nation. In the UK, the Indian government's efforts to extradite Mallya are also ongoing. In 2019, his extradition was approved by the UK Home Secretary but is currently pending in the London High Court due to an appeal filed by Mallya.
Mallya defended himself in an open letter
Before leaving India in 2016, Mallya defended himself in an open letter, stating that "no evidence of misappropriation of funds by his airline or himself was found." He claimed that despite pledging high-value securities and depositing significant amounts in court, a successful disinformation campaign made him the "poster boy of all bank NPAs." Mallya is an accused in the alleged ₹900 crore IDBI Bank-Kingfisher Airlines loan fraud case being investigated by the CBI.
