Strategic Move: CBI-ED-NIA Head To UK, Aims To Fast-Track Vijay Mallya And Nirav Modi's Extradition

A team of high-level officials from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the Enforcement Directorate (ED), and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) is set to be sent by India to the United Kingdom. The aim is to expedite the extradition process of Indian fugitives, including individuals such as diamond trader Nirav Modi and Kingfisher's Vijay Mallya.

A team led by a senior officer from the foreign ministry is set to meet with UK authorities through the Indian High Commission in London, aiming to expedite the extradition process of Indian fugitives.

The ED-CBI-NIA collaboration seeks to identify properties of fugitives in the UK and other countries to seize the 'proceeds of crime.' Efforts are underway to apprehend arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari, who fled the country in 2016 amid investigations by the income tax department and the ED into defence deals during the UPA regime.

Bhandari, reportedly close to Robert Vadra, husband of Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi-Vadra, is said to have acquired properties in London and Dubai transferred to shell companies controlled by an alleged aide of Vadra, reported Times of India.

Nirav Modi, Vijay Mallya, and Sanjay Bhandari are among three individuals expected to be extradited to India, with pending appeals in higher courts against their deportation. Government agencies have already attached their properties in India, with some assets sold to repay outstanding dues to banks, according to the Economic Times.

The Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) mandates India and the UK to share information on criminal investigations related to economic offenders. While Nirav Modi is wanted in an alleged fraud involving funds of PNB worth over Rs 6,500 crore, assets worth over Rs 5,000 crore belonging to Mallya have been attached and confiscated for swindling banks.

The ED is investigating Bhandari, Thampi, and Vadra for payoffs allegedly received in multiple defence deals. Bhandari's properties worth over Rs 26 crore in India have been attached, and he has been declared a fugitive economic offender, similar to Mallya and Modi.