No Natural Light In Mumbai Jail, Said Vijay Mallya. UK Judge Wants Video
NEW DELHI, July 31: As Vijay Mallya complained about "no natural light" or fresh air in Indian jails, a UK judge today asked India for a video of a cell at the Arthur Road jail in Mumbai where it plans to keep the fraud-accused liquor tycoon. The court will take up the high-profile extradition case next in three weeks, on September 12.
Judge Emma Arbuthnot, hearing India's case for Vijay Mallya's extradition to face charges of money-laundering and fraud, said she could not go with the photographs of Barrack 12 that Indian officials have provided the court.
The judge asked officials to film any man going into the prison, through the door shown in the photographs. "Can we shoot it during mid-day? I want to see some natural light, sunlight, whether the windows pick up any natural light," the judge said.
Vijay Mallya's defence team had argued that photographs submitted by India showed "no natural light in the cell and no fresh air". Lawyer Clare Montgomery also alleged that the photos were taken using a technique to show light within the building. "How will the sun get through this huge wall," she asked.
India told the court that the photos proved that jail conditions complied with the guidelines of the Human Rights Commission. Vijay Mallya would be put up in barracks with fresh air and light, a private western-style toilet facility and clean bedding, said Mark Summers, the lawyer representing the government.
Vijay Mallya's case is being heard in the Westminster Magistrates' Court in London.
The 62-year-old former Kingfisher Airlines boss, who has been on bail since his arrest in April last year, is fighting extradition to India, citing mainly the poor condition of jails.
At the last hearing in the case on April 27, Judge Arbuthnot had confirmed that the bulk of the evidence submitted by the Indian authorities will be admissible in the case.
If the judge rules in favour of the Indian government, the UK home secretary will have two months to sign Vijay Mallya's extradition order. Both sides will have the chance to appeal in higher courts in the UK against the Magistrates' Court verdict.
To bolster Vijay Mallya's case, his defence team has submitted written material from UK-based prisons expert Dr Alan Mitchell, challenging some of the photographs of Barrack 12 of Mumbai Central Prison on Arthur Road, where the businessman is to be held if he is extradited. The team has produced many expert witnesses to claim he is unlikely to get a fair trial in India.
The extradition trial opened in London on December 4 last year.
Vijay Mallya has been based in the UK since he left India in March 2016 as banks stepped up efforts to recover Rs. 9,000 crore in unpaid loans.
Last month, after prolonged silence, Vijay Mallya had issued a lengthy media statement labelling the CBI and Enforcement Directorate (ED) charges against him as "untenable and blatantly false".
He has since lost his appeal in the UK's Court of Appeal against a High Court order in favour of 13 Indian banks to recover funds amounting to nearly 1.145 billion pounds.
A related order last month granted permission to the UK High Court Enforcement Officer to enter Mallya's properties in Hertfordshire, near London. Mallya says he has handed over a full statement of his UK assets to the court and there was no question of use of force to enter his home, Ladywalk, in the village of Tewin in England.
Courtesy: www.ndtv.com
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Another incident of alleged insult to Islamic prayer reported in Belthangady
case lodged against 47 individuals
Belthangady: Another incident involving individuals allegedly dancing indecently, dressed in a denigrating manner, and insulting the Azan (Islamic call to prayer) has come to light under the jurisdiction of the Venoor Police Station. A case has been lodged against 17 accused persons and 20 to 30 others who were allegedly involved in the act.
Based on a complaint filed by Mohammed Rafiq, a resident of Poyyegudde house in Padangady village, a case has been registered at Venoor police station against Savya residents Vasantha, Rajesh, Harish, Peradi residents Dayanand, Ranganath, Mohan, Shamit, Ravi, Ramesh Kulal, Suresh, Ashoka Kulal, Dhanush Haradottu, Harish Banthottu, Ramesh R.K, Suresh Barottu, Pramod, Prakash Peradi and 20 to 30 other individuals.
A case has been registered under Section 353(2) along with Section 3(5) Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 for disrespecting Islam, Prophet Muhammad and the Islamic prayer Azhan by wearing Muslim attire during a 'Purusha Kattuna' event on April 14th.
A video of the incident is reportedly circulating on various social media platforms. In the purported video, a group of individuals can be seen wearing traditional Muslim attire and allegedly insulting the Azan by dancing indecently during a 'Purusha Kattuna' (a ritualistic dance performed by men of different castes, typically marking the end of agricultural activities) event held in Peradi near Venoor.
This incident follows a similar episode reported just days ago during a Purushara Puja ceremony, where Islam was allegedly disrespected. A complaint had already been filed with the Venoor police regarding that incident.
Leaders from the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) had also approached the Venoor police and submitted an official complaint, and demanded immediate action against those who are responsible for creating unrest in the society by wearing Muslim attire and hurting religious sentiments.
The Venoor police have now registered a case following widespread outrage over the alleged video denigrating Islam.
