London, Sep 12: Fugitive liquor baron Vijay Mallya, who arrived at the Westminster Magistrate's Court in London in connection with his extradition case on Wednesday, said he had met Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley before leaving India. Vijay Mallya said he reiterated his offer to settle dues to Jaitley before leaving for the United Kingdom.

"I met the Finance Minister before I left, repeated my offer to settle with the banks," Mallya said outside the Westminster Magistrate's Court. Earlier today, his lawyer claimed that IDBI Bank officials were well aware of the losses incurred in the debt-ridden Kingfisher Airlines. Mallya also reiterated that he is ready for a comprehensive settlement. Vijay Mallya Likely To Be Kept In Barack Number 12 Of Arthur Road Jail, Watch Video Of VVIP Cell.

Mallya's lawyer told Westminster Magistrates Court in London, "IDBI bank officials were well aware of losses at Kingfisher. The emails from IDBI officials show that the government's accusation of Mallya hiding losses is baseless." The lawyer further said, "There is no evidence that Mallya or Kingfisher applied for bank loans with bad intent." Vijay Mallya Extradition Trail: IDBI Officials Knew of Losses at Kingfisher, Claims Mallya’s Lawyer.

On being asked if he has convinced the Court that he has the means to pay what he said he will, Mallya told media here, "Obviously, that is why a settlement offer has been made. The hearing is on September 18." Mallya, an alleged financial offender, is facing charges of bank fraud and money laundering in India, amounting to the tune of Rs 9,000 crore.

Mallya is wanted in India for defaulting on bank loans to the tune of Rs 9,000 crore, has been in the UK since March 2016. The 62-year-old former Kingfisher Airline boss, who has been on bail on an extradition warrant since his arrest in April last year, is fighting extradition to India on charges of fraud and money laundering amounting to around Rs 9,000 crores.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 12, 2018 06:32 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).