New Delhi: India has asked the United Kingdom for early extradition of fugitive liquor baron Vijay Mallya, former IPL boss Lalit Modi and in locating diamond merchant Nirav Modi. India also told London not to allow British territory to be used for anti-India activities by Kashmiri and Khalistani separatists.
This was conveyed to the British authorities during the third India-UK Home Affairs dialogue in London on May 30. At the dialogue, while Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba led Indian delegation, Patsy Wilkinson led the UK delegation.
During the meet, India expressed its concern over the delay in the extradition of wanted Indian nationals who have sought refuge in Britain to avoid jail and legal actions against them back home.
Liquor baron Vijay Mallya, accused of defrauding Indian banks of Rs 9,000 crore is facing CBI and Enforcement Directorate probe. On March 2, 2016, he left India and was arrested by Scotland Yard in 2017 following an extradition warrant. Out on bail, Mallya is fighting the extradition case in a court in the UK.
Similarly, IPL honcho Lalit Modi escaped out of the country after being charged with money laundering. Diamond merchant Nirav Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi are wanted by the CBI, the ED and other Indian agencies for allegedly cheating Punjab National Bank of Rs 13,000 crore. Both fled India early this year and are untraceable. Speculation is that both are cooling their heels in Hong Kong.
India also raised the visa problems faced by its nationals, including delays in visas to students, the high amount charged for UK visas and lengthy waiting period for tourist visas.
Matters related to the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty and strengthening of intelligence-sharing mechanism were also taken up, another official said.
The India-UK Home Affairs dialogue was set up during British Prime Minister Theresa May’s visit to India in November 2016.
