Liquor baron Vijay Mallya today informed a Delhi court that he wants to come to India but is unable to travel back as his passport has been suspended by Indian authorities.

Mallya made the submission through his counsel before the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Sumit Dass in a case lodged for allegedly evading summons in connection with a FERA violation matter.

On July 9, the court had cancelled the exemption from personal appearance granted to him and had directed him to appear before it.

In his application moved through senior advocate Ramesh Gupta, Mallya requested the court that some time be given so that his appearance can be secured.

The counsel submitted the copy of an e-mail sent by Mallya, stating that his passport was suspended on April 23, 2016, without giving him any opportunity of being heard.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED), however, told the court that Mallya is already evading proceedings in several other cases and sought time to reply to the plea moved by him today.

The court has now put up the matter for further hearing on October 4.

The exemption from personal appearance to Mallya was granted in December 2000 on ED’s complaint for evading summons issued to him by it.

The agency had issued summons to the businessman in connection with alleged payment of $200,000 to a British firm for displaying a Kingfisher logo in the Formula One World Championships in London and some European countries in 1996, 1997 and 1998.

It had claimed that the money was allegedly paid without prior approval from RBI in violation of FERA norms.

In its plea against Mallya filed through prosecutor N K Matta, ED had also sought issuance of non-bailable warrant against the Chairman of the now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines to secure his presence in the ongoing trial of the case, which is in its final stages.

The agency’s plea had said Mallya was reported to be in the UK and his presence in the trial was essential and had sought the court’s direction to him to remain personally present at every hearing.

Matta had argued that the court should recall its December 2000 exemption order as a PMLA court in Mumbai has recently issued an open-ended warrant against him in connection with a money laundering case.

According to ED, Mallya was summoned on four occasions for questioning in connection with a contract signed in December 1995 with London-based firm Benetton Formula Ltd for promotion of the Kingfisher brand abroad.

When Mallya failed to appear before the ED in response to the summons, a complaint was filed on March 8, 2000, before a court here and later on charges were framed against him under FERA.

comment COMMENT NOW