Vijay Mallya’s arrest underlines Modi govt’s will to act against defrauders, says BJP

The arrest of Vijay Mallya, wanted in India for defaulting on loans, by the Scotland Yard in London underlines the Modi government’s will to act against people accused of defrauding public resources, the BJP said on Tuesday.

It is a confirmation of the government’s relentless efforts and commitment to act against those involved in illegal activities like generation of black money, party spokesperson Nalin Kohli said. The Modi government has made it clear that such people will be dealt with severely, he said.

It has acted at every level to bring the liquor baron to book, he said, noting that Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had taken up the issue with his British counterpart.

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Right from the formation of a Special Investigation Team against black money in the first cabinet meeting under Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the current initiation of the extradition process against Mallya, the government has acted at every level, Kohli said.

“Investigation agencies have a free hand to act without fear and favour,” he said.

The 61-year-old embattled Mallya, who has been declared a proclaimed offender in India, was arrested in London on India’s request for his extradition on fraud charges. He was released on bail a few hours later.