Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi (SP)

New Delhi, Feb 22: The United Kingdom has assured to hand over liquor baron, Vijay Mallya, who had fled the country without arranging to repay thousands of crores of rupees he is due to repay to the banks in India. The country also has responded positively for sending back former IPL commissioner, Lalit Modi, who is under Enforcement Directorate's scanner for alleged money laundering activities, to India.

Discussions are on between officials of India and Britain about extradition of Mallya under Mutual Legal Treaty between the two countries. The discussions began after the home ministry wrote to the ministry of external affairs on Monday, duly referring to an order by a special court in Mumbai that had asked the government to bring Mallya back in connection with money laundering case registered against him.

The Britain government has positively responded to the request of the Indian government, and expressed readiness to cooperate with India as regards extradition of Vijay Mallya. In all likelihood Mallya will be available for investigation by both Central Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement Directorate soon.

At the same time, there are indications that Britain will positively respond to previous requests seeking similar actions relating to former IPL head, Lalit Modi, who fled India in 2010 fearing arrest in tax evasion case, and underworld fugitive, Tiger Memon.