India has handed over a request to British authorities to extradite former liquor baron and Kingfisher Airlines chief Vijay Mallya, who has been slapped with a non-bailable warrant by the CBI for loan default of ₹9,000 crore.

“We have today (Thursday) handed over the request for extradition of Vijay Vittal Mallya, as received from the CBI, to the UK High Commission in New Delhi. We have requested the UK side to extradite him to face trial in India,” Vikas Swarup, Spokesperson, Ministry of External Affairs said.

The move comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi handed over a list of of 60 most-wanted Indian fugitives to his British counterpart Theresa May when she called on him in November 2016. The list also has Mallya’s name.

Mallya left for Britain last March after being questioned by the courts over the recovery of money lent to his Kingfisher Airlines. He has also been booked by the Enforcement Directorate under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

In May 2016, the UK had told India that Mallya could not be deported to India. It had also said that under its 1971 Immigration Act a British passport was not mandatory for residence in the UK as long as the individual possessed a valid passport at the time of entry.

However, in November both countries agreed to enhance cooperation under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty during the visit of the British PM. As a result, a strategic dialogue between top officials is expected this year.

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