India seeks UK help in extradition of Vijay Mallya, Lalit Modi

India on Wednesday sought the help of the United Kingdom for early extradition of liquor baron Vijay Mallya and former IPL chairman Lalit Modi and in locating fugitive Nirav Modi, officials said during the third Indo-UK home affairs dialogue in the capital.

"We have sought the help of the authorities in the UK in extradition of our wanted persons. The process is on and everyone knows because of our proactive action, Mallya had to go to a court in the UK," an official privy to the two-hour long meeting here said.

The Indian Government also asked the UK Government not to allow the British territory to be used for anti-India activities by Kashmiri and Khalistani separatists.

The Indian delegation was led by Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba and the UK team was led by Patsy Wilkinson.

India also sought the UK's assistance in extradition of alleged cricket bookie Sanjiv Kapur and legal help in prosecution of 16 other alleged criminals.

Mallya, facing CBI and ED investigations, is accused of defrauding Indian banks of Rs 9,000 crore. He left India on March 2, 2016, and was arrested by Scotland Yard in 2017 on an extradition warrant. Out on bail, Mallya is fighting the extradition case in a UK court.

While Nirav Modi, who left India early this year, is wanted by authorities for allegedly duping the Punjab National Bank of Rs 13,000 crore, Lalit Modi is being charged with money laundering.

During the dialogue, India also raised the visa problems faced by its nationals, including delays in visas to students, the high amount charged for UK visas and lengthy waiting period for tourist visas, the official said.

The India-UK home affairs dialogue was set up during British Prime Minister Theresa May's visit to India in November 2016.

Matters related to the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty and strengthening of intelligence-sharing mechanism were also taken up, another official said.

(With PTI inputs)