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The Enforcement Directorate has sought revocation of Vijay Mallya’s passport after the liquor baron failed to appear before the investigation agency. The ED has written to the External Affairs Ministry to take action on the grounds that Mallya was not co-operating in the investigations related to the ₹900-crore loan from IDBI Bank.
The ED had earlier issued summons to Mallya to appear at its Mumbai office on March 18 and then on April 2 and 9. On all three occasions, Mallya, who is understood to be in the UK, failed to appear and sought time till May.
ED officials said that this was delaying the investigation, and therefore the revocation request has been sent. If the MEA accedes to the request, it will seek his deportation from the UK.
The ED could also seek a non-bailable warrant against Mallya and get the Interpol to issue a Red Corner Notice against him, if required. In addition, the agency may also issue a letter rogatory to the UK seeking assistance in the case, according to ED sources.
Mallya is wanted by multiple agencies in the ₹9,000-crore loan default case of Kingfisher Airlines. The ED is specifically looking into the ₹900-crore loan he took from IDBI Bank. Officials from the bank and former employees of the now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines have already been questioned in this regard.
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