The counsel for Trinamul Youth Congress leader Vinay Mishra, an accused in a cattle smuggling case, told Calcutta High Court on Monday that his client had got citizenship of an island nation on the Pacific Ocean in 2018, and asked if an Indian court could try his case.

Vinay’s lawyer Siddharth Luthra also sought an extension of the time limit ordered earlier by the court directing the CBI not to arrest him till June 10. The court will hear the case again on on June 9.

Vinay and his brother Vikash were implicated by the CBI in cases involving smuggling of cattle heads from Bengal to neighbouring countries.

According to the CBI, the Mishra brothers are linked to main accused Anup Maji. The CBI issued a look out notice against Vinay, who is absconding, and interrogated Vikash. On March 20, Vinay moved a plea in the HC seeking anticipatory bail and that the CBI’s proceedings against him be quashed.