A day after UK Home Secretary ordered the extradition of Vijay Mallya to India, embattled liquor baron on Monday took to Twitter and said that he will now initiate the appeal process. “After the decision was handed down on December 10,2018 by the Westminster Magistrates Court, I stated my intention to appeal. I could not initiate the appeal process before a decision by the Home Secretary. Now I will initiate the appeal process,” he tweeted.

The 63-year-old businessman had lost a legal challenge against his extradition in a British court in December. Under the Extradition Treaty procedures, the Chief Magistrate's verdict was sent to the Home Secretary because only he is authorised to order Mallya's extradition.

A UK Home Office spokesperson said: "On 3 February the Secretary of State, having carefully considered all relevant matters, signed the order for Vijay Mallya's extradition to India.

"Vijay Mallya is accused in India of conspiracy to defraud, making false representations and money laundering offences."

Mallya is on bail on an extradition warrant executed by Scotland Yard in April 2017 after the Indian authorities brought fraud and money laundering charges amounting to Rs 9,000 crores against the former Kingfisher Airlines boss.

Sources in the government said it has taken note of Mallya's extradition order and welcomed the UK government's decision. "We have taken note of the decision of the UK Home Secretary to sign on the order for Vijay Mallya's extradition to India. While we welcome the UK Government's decision in the matter, we await the early completion of the legal process for his extradition," they said.

Union Minister Arun Jaitley, who is in the US for treatment of an unstated illness, lauded the Narendra Modi government over the development. "Modi Government clears one more step to get Mallya extradited while Opposition rallies around the Saradha Scamsters," Jaitley tweeted.