CBI denies any delay in sending evidence against Vijay Mallya to UK

NEW DELHI: The Central Bureau of Investigation ( CBI) has brushed aside reports about purported criticism of Indian agencies by a London court for “delaying” furnishing of evidence in the extradition case of Vijay Mallya, dubbing it as a “figment of imagination” of the former liquor baron’s defence lawyer.

In a clarification issued on Thursday, CBI said the special prosecutor of Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has “confirmed” that there was “no criticism” of the extradition request of the Indian government.

The agency also said it filed an additional chargesheet against Mallya, wanted in India for non-payment of loans of more than Rs 9,000 crore and on criminal charges, in a Mumbai Court on June 2. The same was sent to the British authorities through diplomatic channels on June 9, CBI said.

“All the evidence regarding falsities, misstatements and false representations of Vijay Mallya, Kingfisher Airlines and officials of the airlines had already been forwarded to British authorities,” CBI said.

Elaborating on the details of the hearing of the case on Tuesday in Westminster Court, CBI said that during the hearing when the counsel of “fugitive Mallya” sought a date in March-April 2018, Aaron Watkins of CPS opposed the same.

“To justify a later date, the defence counsel raised the issue of delay, which is nothing but a figment of his imagination,” CBI’s statement said. “It is hereby categorically affirmed that there was no delay whatsoever,” it added.