NEW DELHI: In a major development that may spell more trouble for contentious  defaulter businessman Vijay Mallya, Britain's Serious Fraud Office (SFO) is carried out a investigation against the liquor baron for suspected "money laundering" in UK and beyond.

Top sources told that British investigators are inquiring alleged use of a number of companies for laundering money from India to UK through a roundabout route and a complex web of companies, and further to Switzerland and other countries.

In reality, sources said, SFO has already composed substantial information about Mallya's movable and fixed assets, his investment and shares in various companies in the UK and bank account details. The financial investigation agency became decisive to initiate an independent investigate against Mallya to examine whether the alleged money laundering involved British companies linked to him.

The UK authorities have well-versed India about its independent 'formal' probe against Mallya while seeking details of alleged money laundering and assets abroad from CBI and ED.

Government sources say the SFO action should make stronger India's banishment case against Mallya, currently being heard in Westminster Court. To enable extradition of Vijay Mallya from London, a 'dual criminality' clause of his illegal activities has to be time-honored according to the extradition treaty between two countries. The clause demands cheating of public banks in India by Mallya, and subsequent, money laundering has to be proved a 'crime' in the eye of British law as well.

also read 

‘Jai’ Ho , Modi and Abe plan to counter China through Asia-Africa link

Korea Super Series: Sindhu, Kashyap, Praneeth will play in second round

HDFC Bank is India’s most valuable brand: BrandZ™ Top 50