The good times aren’t over for Vijay Mallya just yet. The United Kingdom has informed India that it cannot deport the embattled businessman, though it can help extradite him.

Mallya, whose Indian passport was revoked in April, is wanted in India for over $1 billion dollars in unpaid loans. He is also under investigation on charges of money laundering, and there is a non-bailable warrant for his arrest.

India had requested for Mallya’s deportation, knowing that it would be faster than extradition, NDTV said on Wednesday. But Britain expressed its inability to accede to the request since the former Indian Member of Parliament is staying there on a valid visa.

The Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement:

  “The UK Government has informed us that under the 1971 Immigration Act, the UK does not require an individual to hold a valid passport in order to remain in the UK if they have extant leave to remain as long as their passport was valid when leave to remain or enter the UK was conferred.”  

MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup added: “At the same time the UK acknowledges the seriousness of the allegations and is keen to assist the Government of India. They have asked GoI to consider requesting mutual legal assistance or extradition.”

The international exchange proved a fertile opportunity for Twitter to turn on the humour.