New Delhi: The government today reaffirmed its commitment to bring back beleaguered industrialist Vijay Mallya to face the law of the land. Ind an indication that the government was looking to toughen its stand on Mallya, the government said it was undertaking legal consultations to ensure that Mallya is brought back to India and is made to face justice.
“The government is committed to bring him back to face justice, currently we are in the process of consulting various agencies,” spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs Vikas Swaroop told reporters in Delhi today.
“We are considering legal experts in this matter,” he added when asked about the ED request for deportation.
The comments come a day after the Enforcement Directorate sought the assistance of the MEA to initiate proceedings for the deportation of Mallya, who is being investigated over loan defaults of over Rs 9,000 crore to 17 banks.
The comments suggest that the government is no mood to adopt a lackadaisical approach over Mallya, who flew to London as banks upped the pressure over loan recoveries. Mallya is yet to respond to a notice issued by the MEA on April 15 which was due to be responded to today.
Also read: Vijay Mallya revamps loan settlement offer to Rs 6,868 crore
Mallya, in an affidavit to the Supreme Court, contended that banks had no business peeking into his offshore assets. In response to thr apex court’s directive to Mallya to provide a detailed account of the assets he held in foreign countries, Mallya sought the court’s permission to do so in a sealed envelope.
He also questioned the rights of banks to seek information on his foreign assets saying that he, his wife and sons were NRIs.
Mallya left India in March, triggering outrage as he is under probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the ED for defaulting on loans taken by his now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines.
A consortium of 17 banks led by the State Bank of India has approached the Supreme Court to recover their money.
As on date, KFA owes Rs 9,300 crore to banks and various government departments in loans, interests and other dues.
