New Delhi: In a move that could spell more trouble for beleaguered industrialist Vijay Mallya, the government today revoked his passport.
The Ministry of External Affairs revoked Mallya's passport under different sections of passport act.
MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup said, after getting replies of Mr Mallya, the ministry took this decision.
Earlier this week, Swarup had said that a request has been made to initiate steps for the deportation of Mallya to ensure his presence before the lawful authorities to proceed with investigation against him.
Armed with a non-bailable arrest warrant against him, the Enforcement Directorate, ED has approached the External Affairs Ministry seeking initiation of deportation proceedings against Vijay Mallya in connection with its money laundering probe against him.
Mallya is understood to be in the UK after he left India on March 2.
Separately, a court in Mumbai had issued an arrest warrant for him this week after he failed to appear before investigators looking into the finances of his Kingfisher Airlines, which ceased operating in 2012.
Earlier this month, banks rejected his offer to repay $600 million and told the Supreme Court they want him to return to India so they can negotiate with him personally over the total owed.
Mallya and his defunct Kingfisher Airlines are facing separate probes by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) over their alleged default on loans worth Rs 7,000 crore from 17 public sector Indian banks, including IDBI bank. They currently owe around Rs 9, 200 crore to the banks.
