British court orders Vijay Mallya to be returned to India. Image Courtesy – DNA India
The British court orders the reinstatement of Vijay Mallya, accused of a bank fraud case, to be returned to India. The matter has been sent to the British Home Secretary for approval. On Monday, Britain’s Westminster Magistrate Court Justice Emma Arbuthnot announced the verdict. Multiple fraud cases involving financial fraud, conspiracy, and funds are pending in India against Vijay Mallya.
During the declaration of the verdict of the Westminster Magistrate Court of Justice Emma Arbathnot of Britain, on Monday, several cases of financial fraud in the last year, and the verdict of a British court judge is considered an important step in the reinstatement case.
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In the meantime, CBI Joint Director Sai Manohar was present Britain to attend the hearing of Vijay Mallya and one of the accused Christian Mistle (accused in VVIP chopper case). The CBI welcomed the orders of the British court. After the verdict on Monday, the CBI spokesman said, “We are ready to bring Mallya to India quickly to settle the case. We have worked hard for this case. We were certain from the outset about the refund.”
Vijay Vittal Mallya is an Indian businessman and former politician, widely known for his extravagant lifestyle, which earned him the moniker “The King of Good Times.”
Business Career & Ventures
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United Breweries Group (UB Group): He inherited the chairmanship of the UB Group (a conglomerate with interests in alcoholic beverages, aviation, real estate, and more) from his father, Vittal Mallya, at the age of 28 in 1983. Under his leadership, the group grew significantly, and he was the former chairman of United Spirits, India’s largest spirits company.
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Kingfisher Airlines: He was the founder and former owner of Kingfisher Airlines, which he launched in 2005. The airline eventually became defunct in 2012 after facing massive financial troubles and grounding its operations.
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Sports: Mallya had significant interests in sports, being the former owner of the IPL cricket team Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and a former co-owner of the Force India Formula One team.
Political Career
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He was a former member of the Rajya Sabha (the upper house of the Indian Parliament), elected as an independent candidate twice from Karnataka (first in 2002 and again in 2010).
Controversies and Current Status
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Financial Crimes: Mallya and his companies became embroiled in major financial scandals and controversies, particularly related to the massive debts incurred by Kingfisher Airlines to various Indian banks.
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Fugitive Status and Extradition: Mallya left India on March 2, 2016, and has been residing in the United Kingdom. He is the subject of an extradition effort by the Indian Government to bring him back to India to face charges of financial crimes, including fraud and money laundering, related to the alleged default on loans of over ₹9,000 crore (about $1.1 billion).
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Legal Battles: He has been involved in lengthy legal battles in the UK. The Supreme Court of India has also found him guilty of contempt of court. In April 2025, a consortium of Indian banks won a court appeal in London to uphold a bankruptcy order against him. He remains on bail in the UK.
In essence, Vijay Mallya is a figure whose legacy transitioned from a celebrated, flamboyant business tycoon to one defined by financial controversies and an ongoing high-profile extradition case.
