Vijay Mallya Arrested In London Over Money Laundering Charges, Gets Bail In No Time

Absconding liquor baron Vijay Mallya was arrested today (3 October) in London on charges of money laundering. This is the second time that Mallya has been arrested this year. He has been out on bail after being arrested in April following an extradition request from India.

Mallya, a resident of London for more than a year now, has been accused of defaulting on loans worth over several thousand crores in India. He left India in March last year, during attempts by several banks to recover more than Rs. 9,000 crore loaned to him for his now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines. India had made an extradition request in February to Britain to send back the businessman so that he could face trial. He currently resides in the United Kingdom where he has the status of a permanent resident. Over half a dozen arrest warrants have been issued in his name in India.

Known for a lavish lifestyle, Mallya has repeatedly refused to appear before courts and investigators in India although he is often seen at public events in Britain.

Cases against him are being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

Mallya was reported to have got bail within the hour.