(with inputs from agencies)

I have right to appeal: Vijay Mallya

NEW DELHI: The UK's Westminster Magistrates' Court on Monday ordered the extradition of fugitive liquor baron Vijay mallya to India to face fraud charges resulting from the collapse of his defunct Kingfisher Airlines.The matter of extradition of Vijay Mallya to India has been referred to the UK's secretary of state. Chief Magistrate Judge Emma Arbuthnot has found prima facie a case against Vijay Mallya for fraud, conspiracy and money laundering.The ruling marked a significant point in the high-profile extradition trial that has lasted over a year.Both the cases — Christian Michel (VVIP chopper scam) and Vijay Mallya — were being handled by now benched special director Rakesh Asthana and joint director Sai Manohar, who is currently in London in the court.Following the UK court's order, finance minister Arun Jaitley said that any person trying to cheat India will not be spared."Great Day for India. No one who cheats India will go scot-free. The judgment of UK’s Court is welcomed. An offender benefited during the UPA. The NDA brings him to book," he was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.The Central Bureau of Investigation too welcomed the decision."We hope to bring him soon and conclude the case. CBI has its own inherent strengths. We worked hard on this case. We are strong on law and facts and we were confident while pursuing extradition process," a spokesperson of CBI said.The embattled liquor tycoon — who co-owned the Formula One motor racing team Force India until it went into administration in July — is wanted in India on alleged fraud and money laundering charges amounting to an estimated Rs 9,000 crores.The 62-year-old former Kingfisher Airlines boss has been on bail since his arrest on an extradition warrant in April last year.Mallya has contested his extradition on the grounds that the case against him is "politically motivated" and the loans he has been accused of defrauding on were sought to keep his now-defunct airline afloat.Earlier in the day, Mallya sought to disprove the narrative that he has "stolen" money and said his offer to repay the principal amount to the Indian banks was "not bogus".The 62-year-old former Kingfisher Airlines boss was on bail since his arrest on an extradition warrant in April last year."My settlement offer is made before the Karnataka High Court. It is not related to this extradition trial. Nobody disrespects a court of law by making a bogus offer. The assets have been attached by the ED so they cannot be bogus assets," he said, asserting that his offer to repay the principal amount was not bogus.The embattled liquor tycoon said that the value of his assets is more than enough to pay everybody and that is exactly what he was focusing on."I want to disprove the narrative that I have stolen (money)," he said.The trial, which opened at the Magistrates' Court on December 4 last year, has gone through a series of hearings beyond the initial seven days earmarked for it.