Saved by the bell: Mallya's hearing postponed due to fire alarm
December 04, 2017  15:54
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Liquor baron Vijay Mallya, out on a 650,000-pound bail bond following his arrest by Scotland Yard over fraud and money laundering charges, today arrived at Westminster Magistrates' Court for the opening day of his extradition trial.


The 61-year-old tycoon looked relaxed as he was greeted by a swarm of cameras and reporters when he entered the court to stand trial on charges of fraud and money laundering related to his erstwhile Kingfisher Airlines owing several Indian banks around Rs 9,000 crore.


"Please hear the proceedings," Mallya told reporters outside the courtroom. "I have said repeatedly that the charges are false, fabricated and baseless. I have nothing to say, submissions in court will be self evident," he said.


However, the trial opening was delayed as the courtroom had to be evacuated due to a fire alarm going off. Mallya, who has been out on bail since Scotland Yard executed an extradition warrant in April this year, will be in the dock for the duration of the trial -- scheduled to end on December 14.  -- PTI
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