Vijay Mallya arrested in London; granted bail

UPDATE: Westminster Court has granted bail to Vijay Mallya.

Usual Indian media hype. Extradition hearing in Court started today as expected.

— Vijay Mallya (@TheVijayMallya) April 18, 2017

Beleaguered businessman and once hailed as ‘King of Good Times,’ Vijay Mallya was arrested by Scotland Yard in London, multiple media reported on Tuesday adding that he is likely to be presented before a UK court.

Mallya made a quite exit to London via Delhi on March 2, 2016.

He has been on the "wilful defaulter’s list" since 2015 and was being probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for loan default repayments worth over Rs 9000 crore.

Also Read: India finally asks UK to extradite Vijay Mallya; here's what will happen now

In May 2016, the government asked UK to deport Mallya on the grounds that his passport stood cancelled.

The UK government however said that it does not require an individual to hold a valid passport to remain in the country; however, since the extent of the crimes by Mallya were extensive UK said that they would consider extradition.

Talks between the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi and UK, Theresa May were held in November last year to extradite nearly 60 people, including liquor baron Vijay Mallya.

State Bank of India on several occasions tried to auction off Mallya’s properties including his private jet, property in Vile Parle and Goa and cars among others.

Also Read: Vijay Mallya's Kingfisher Villa finally sold for over Rs 73 crore

On February 8, the board of United Breweries asked Mallya to step down as its non-executive chairman following a SEBI order which barred the embattled businessman from holding directorship in any listed company.

In January 2017, SEBI had banned Mallya and six former officials of United Spirits Ltd (USL) from securities markets in a case related to illegal fund diversions, while probe is on into the role of auditors and change of control at the company.