Background
- Vijay Mallya is accused in India of conspiracy to defraud, making false representations and money laundering offences.
- Mallya, owner of the defunct Kingfisher Airlines, is wanted for wilful default of over Rs 9,000 crore loans from Indian banks.
- On December 9, the Westminster Magistrate’s Court had ordered Mallya’s extradition to stand trial on charges brought by the CBI and ED.
Extradition Treaty With UK
- India and the UK signed an extradition treaty in 1993.
- Since then, India has requested the extradition of 131 accused, but has managed to get only one 'fugitive' - Samirbhai Vinubyhai Patel - back. Patel, an Indian citizen, was accused of murder.
- Extradition is possible only in cases that are seen as crimes in both the countries in question.
- The UK has strong human rights laws, which make extradition of a person very difficult.
- India is among Category II countries under the UK's extradition laws.
- Category II cases take much more time to complete than Category I cases. The United States and most European countries are in Category I.
Extradition With Other Countries:
- India has extradition treaties with 47 countries, but till date has managed to get only 62 accused extradited.
- The US, UAE, UK, Canada, Germany, Nepal, Bangladesh, Iran, Singapore, Australia, Nigeria, Denmark, South Africa and France are among the 47 countries with which India has inked extradition treaties.
