Barbados Tridents owner facing extradition

Barbados Tridents owner facing extradition
Associated Press / Kirsty Wigglesworth, File

Barbados Tridents owner, exiled Indian business magnate, Dr. Vijay Mallya is facing extradition to his homeland to face charges of alleged bank fraud and money laundering charges amounting to close to US$1 billion.

Mallya, 62, who has been fighting extradition in recent years, is the owner of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) franchise, Barbados Tridents.

A court in the United Kingdom recently ruled that he could be extradited from England where he has been holed up at a mansion in Hertfordshire in East England.

The ruling issued in the Westminster Magistrates’ Court, has to be approved by the Home Secretary and Mallya has 14 days to appeal.

Once considered one of India’s wealthiest man, Mallya ran into financial troubles following the collapse of his Kingfisher Airlines.

He lost control of Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore and Formula One racing team, Force India.

He has, however, remained in charge of the Tridents franchise, ever since becoming involved ahead of the 2016 season.

Under his ownership, Tridents have struggled to remain among the elite teams, failing to make the playoffs in each of the last three playoffs.

Earlier this year, the Tridents lost eight of their 10 matches — including five home fixtures at the Kensington Oval — as they finished bottom of the standings.