New Delhi: All roads now seem to be leading to India for Vijay Mallya, the once flamboyant business tycoon who fled India as banks and courts upped the heat on him over loan dues of over Rs 9,000 crore.
Tightening the noose around him, the Ministry of External Affairs has now written to the UK High Commission in New Delhi seeking Mallya’s deportation to India from the United Kingdom. The move follows MEA’s earlier move to suspend Mallya’s diplomatic passport on the request of the Enforcement Directorate.
“MEA has written to High Commission of UK in Delhi requesting deportation of Vijay Mallya so that his presence can be secured for investigations against him under Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002,”MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup said.
“Our High Commission in UK will also be issuing a similar note verbale to the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office,” he said, adding that India would continue to pursue this matter with the United Kingdom authorities.
Also read: Mallya's expulsion? Read about 14 other MPs including Indira and Swamy who were sacked by parliament
Mallya, who left India on March 2 as lenders to the now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines moved court seeking assistance in the recovery of dues, is believed to be in Britain.
On Tuesday, the Supreme Court refused Mallya’s contention that Indian banks had no jurisdiction to access details of overseas assets in his name and that of his family members. The court has asked the banks, who have been provided the details, to file an action taken report in two months’ time.
There is also an arrest warrant issued against Mallya after he did not turn up for questioning at the Enforcement Directorate, a financial crimes agency which is seeking his extradition.
That agency’s probe relates to loans which IDBI bank made to Kingfisher Airlines, despite allegedly knowing it was suffering financial troubles, and whether money was siphoned off -- a charge Mallya’s UB Group denies.
Mallya, a Rajya Sabha member, could also lose the credentials as the Ethics Committee of the Uppoer House has moved to disqualify his membership, pending an explanation from the former liquor baron.
