The judgment in businessman Vijay Mallya’s extradition hearing is due at Westminster Magistrate’s Court on Monday morning. Whether he wins or loses, a lengthy appeal process is likely to follow, meaning that even if the case goes against him, Mr. Mallya is not likely to be extradited to India for months.Sarosh Zaiwalla, founder of the London-based Zaiwalla & Co, explains.
Will Mallya face immediate extradition if the case goes against him?
If the judgment goes against him, he would have 14 days to appeal, during which period he wouldn’t be arrested, but would remain on bail. Should he choose to appeal to the Court of Appeal (he has the automatic right to do so) — it could take months for the case to be heard as it gets very clogged up. This process could take up to five or six months. Should this also go against him, he could apply for the right to appeal to the Supreme Court, which would involve at least another six weeks and if he won the right to do so that could take more months, even up to a year. If the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) lost, a similar appeals process would be open.
How likely is it for a court of appeal to overturn the verdict of a lower court?
It all depends on the issues: it is not uncommon.
Can India push for the process to be speeded up?
The CPS could apply for an expedited appeal process but it is not common for this to be granted. You would have to show the need of urgency.
What happens if he loses and doesn’t appeal?
In these circumstances, the CPS would send the magistrate’s decision to the Home Secretary who has 28 days — from the day of the judgment — to decide whether to send him back or not. Ultimately, it is with the minister.
Can the minister go against the judge?
If the judge finds grounds for extradition, the Home Secretary would not be able to overturn that. That would be unlawful.
Should he lose his fight against extradition, what happens to the other cases in London, eg. against the consortium of banks or UBS’s attempt to foreclose on the mortgage on his home?
What happens will depend on the judge. If he weren’t in the country they might allocate more time. The cases won’t disappear but there might be a logistical rejig.
