Safe in UK, don't want to be at the mercy of a ‘maverick’: Vijay Mallya

“I would want to be safe than sorry,” the liquor baron has said

"I have become a political football," said liquor baron Vijay Mallya whose extradition from the United Kingdom, India has sought. Mallya said that the election rhetoric by the two major Indian parties is evident that he has become a 'political football'.

"Let them come with whatever evidence they have. I doubt they have any. If they have evidence then law take its own course. I safe under the UK law unless proven otherwise. Would want be safe than sorry," he also said while adding that he did not want to be at the mercy of some maverick, according to ANI.

Mallya's statement comes just two days after a meeting was held between Indian and UK officials in which issues relating to extradition were discussed. During the two-day meet between Indian and British officials, deliberations were held on the legal processes and procedures where extraditions were concerned.

Officials that OneIndia spoke with however declined to comment if the Mallya issue was discussed in particular. Both sides agreed that legal cooperation on such issues needed to improve. The meeting also deliberated on issues such as 'wanted' suspects present in the UK. It was decided that the process to speed up extraditions would be set in motion. Officials say that the meet was fruitful.

The Indian side was led by a senior MEA official. Officials of the CBI, ED and other investigating agencies were present at the meet.

OneIndia News