The Centre on Friday said it would take “all possible steps” to bring fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya back to India, PTI reported. A court in London is currently hearing India’s case for extradition of the liquor baron.

“The government of India would take all possible steps to ensure that we do not lag behind in our efforts towards extradition of Vijay Mallya to India,” Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said.

Mallya is wanted in India on charges of defrauding banks of Rs 9,000 crore. The businessman, who has been in the UK since March 2016, had said he would not return to the country. India’s Ministry of External Affairs had submitted an extradition request to the United Kingdom on February 9 after Mallya made his self-imposed exile clear. The request was made on the basis of an extradition treaty signed between the countries in 1992.

Meanwhile, Kumar said Britain has been given consular access to its national Jagtar Singh Johal, who was arrested by the Punjab Police in connection with targeted killings in the state. “All due process of law are being followed since he is a British national,” Kumar said. “We expect the law of the land to take its own course.”