The luxury yacht Indian Empress, belonging to a former Indian politician, co-owner of Formula One Force India team, is to be auctioned by the courts on Monday at noon, Superyacht news has reported.

Indian Empress, the vessel owned by multimillionaire Vijay Vittal Mallya, has been held under court order in Malta after being targeted by a maritime lien over a million-dollar wage bill.

In April, the super yacht's owner had been ordered by a civil court to settle an outstanding bill in favour of local marine repairs and services company Melita Power Diesel Limited after the latter had to summary proceedings to claim the debt.

Read: All quiet on Indian superyacht

Later, he was also ordered to pay €25,829 and €42,502 relative to services rendered to the vessel to Agence Maritime Tropezienne and Luise Associates Riviera & Co. Srl, respectively.

The owner of the yacht, which boasts a 15-seat cinema and Sir Elton John’s baby grand piano, has been targeted by an extradition request attempting to force his return from the UK to India where he is wanted to face charges of financial crimes, including fraud and money laundering.

Mr Mallya, a multi-millionaire and self-proclaimed “King of the Good Times”, was arrested in London last year over allegations that he supported his F1 team with cash generated through such illegal activity.

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