Rahul Gandhi demands Jaitley’s resignation over Mallya’s escape to UK

Hours after the fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya said he had met Finance Minister Arun Jaitley before leaving the country, Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday demanded Jaitley's resignation and an independent probe into the matter. Mallya had made his statement in London while appearing for the hearing of his extradition case.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi should order an "independent probe" into the matter, Gandhi said.

"Given Vijay Mallya's extremely serious allegations in London, the PM should immediately order an independent probe into the matter. Jaitley should step down as Finance Minister while this probe is underway," said Gandhi on Twitter.

The fugitive liquor baron, wanted in India for his alleged role in a multi-crore bank loan fraud case, claimed that he had met the Finance Minister before leaving India in 2016 and made an offer of settlement.

"I left because I had a scheduled meeting in Geneva, I met the finance minister before I left, repeated my offer to settle with the banks... that's the truth," he told reporters outside the London's Westminster Magistrates' Court. He said he had also told the minister that he was leaving for London.

In India, it triggered an opposition outrage, with parties alleging that it proved corrupt businessmen were fleeing the country with the knowledge of the government.