Vijay Mallya had failed thrice to appear before the Enforcement Directorate for questioning.
Highlights
- ED wants to question Vijay Mallya in a Rs. 900 crore IDBI loan fraud case
- He has not appeared before ED investigators despite being summoned thrice
- Mr Mallya flew to London last month
Days after troubled businessman Vijay Mallya failed to appear for questioning before it for a third time, the Enforcement Directorate has demanded that his passport be revoked.
The agency has written to the passport office, saying Mr Mallya has not cooperated with the investigation and has been unable to offer "reasonable justification for skipping summons thrice".
The liquor baron, who had moved to the UK last month, was expected to appear for questioning on Saturday in connection with a money laundering probe in the Rs. 900-crore IDBI loan fraud case.
He has sought time till May, citing the ongoing proceedings in the Supreme Court over the settlement of his loans.
Once an accused skips summons thrice, the agency has two options -- revoking his passport or getting a non-bailable warrant out against him.
Mr Mallya was first summoned by the Enforcement Directorate to "appear in person" at its office in Mumbai on March 18, but after he sought more time citing his prior engagements, the agency asked him to depose on April 2. Then he was given time till April 9.
Mr Mallya's lawyers contend that he has spoken to his lenders via video conference -- which indicate that he is available and not absconding.
It was through a video call that Mr Mallya offered to pay Rs 4,000 crore to a consortium of banks - half of what he owes them -- by September. He had also offered another Rs 2,000 crore if Kingfisher won a lawsuit seeking damages from a plane engine-maker.
The banks have rejected the offer and told the Supreme Court that for meaningful negotiations, Mr Mallya needs to be present in person.