An Indian business tycoon has been arrested in London on behalf of authorities in India where he is wanted in connection with money laundering and high value bank demands.
Flamboyant entrepreneur Vijay Mallya - chairman of the UB Group and co-owner of Silverstone-based Sahara Force India F1 team - was detained by the Metropolitan Police's extradition unit.
The 61-year-old, who entered the UK on a valid passport in March, was held after attending a central London police station, and will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Tuesday.
India's Enforcement Directorate has been gathering evidence as part of its investigation into the tycoon's debts, totalling £977 million, linked to Mr Mallya's now defunct airline Kingfisher.
Mr Mallya sold off his drinks firm United Spirits to Diageo in 2013 in order to prop up the airline, which went bust shortly after. Indian investigators said last year Mr Mallya had not been co-operating and had ignored their summons to give evidence three times.
A brief statement on Mr Mallya's Twitter account said: "Usual Indian media hype. Extradition hearing in court started today as expected."
Source: PA
