'I am here to watch the game', says Vijay Mallya spotted at Oval for INDvAUS World Cup encounter

'Fugitive economic offender' Vijay Mallya, who is facing extradition proceedings in UK, was seen attending India`s World Cup cricket match against Australia at the Kennington Oval in London on Sunday, reported news agency ANI.

Evading questions regarding his extradition to India, Mallya reportedly told ANI, "I am here to watch the game," and added that "preparations are underway for the next hearing scheduled in July."

UK's Westminster Court had last year ordered his extradition to India after he failed to convince authorities there. 

On April 8, A UK court has denied permission to appeal against his extradition order to India to face trial for alleged fraud and money laundering amounting to Rs 9,000 crore.

The 63-year-old beleaguered liquor baron had approached the court against the February 5 order signed by the UK Home Secretary approving his extradition.

The rejection of Mallya`s appeal is seen as a positive development for authorities in India who have been pushing for the extradition of the businessman who faces charges of loan frauds, money laundering and other economic offences.

The liquor baron has repeatedly argued that he has the assets to pay off his "debts but the government won't allow the use of these assets to clear the debts."

He had fought extradition on the grounds that Indian jails weren’t safe and that he was being made a scapegoat for India’s banks being stuck with massive bad loans given to companies.

(With inputs from ANI)