London,
A UK court on Friday admitted the bulk of evidence submitted by the CBI against Vijay Mallya in connection with his ongoing extradition trial, giving a boost to India’s efforts to bring back the embattled liquor baron to face charges of fraud and money laundering amounting to around Rs 9,000 crore.

The 62-year-old businessman, who appeared in the Westminister Magistrate’s Court here, had his £650,000 bail extended until the next date of hearing on July 11.

When the court reconvenes, oral submissions will be made on closing arguments to be submitted in writing to Judge Emma Arbuthnot over the next two months. The judge is then expected to indicate plans for a verdict in the case at the next hearing.

During the hearing, the judge initially seemed reluctant to allow another hearing, being requested by Mallya’s defence team. “So, you want a hearing for the press,” she said responding to Mallya’s counsel Ben Watson pointing out the significant public and media interest in the case.

“That is extremely unfair,” responded Watson, adding that the defence team needed an opportunity to respond to some of the additional material presented by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) on behalf of the Indian Government. The judge classified the additional material handed in by the Indian side as “very helpful indeed” and said it was all admissible, except an email which the defence claimed was privileged interaction between Mallya and his lawyer.