Vijay Mallya's passport revoked, government consulting legal experts for his deportation.
Highlights
- Vijay Mallya owes nearly a billion dollars to banks in India
- He left India last month, govt vowed to bring him back to 'face justice'
- Investigators are probing the finances of his defunct Kingfisher Airlines
Liquor baron
Vijay Mallya's passport has been revoked by the External Affairs Ministry. The 60-year-old businessman had left the country for London early last month while owing nearly a billion dollars to banks.
Announcing the decision, MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted today: "After having considered replies by @TheVijayMallya, MEA revokes his passport under S.10(3)(c) & (h) of Passports Act ."
The ministry has said it is consulting legal experts on Mr Mallya's deportation because his stay in the UK is now illegal. The businessman can appeal the passport office or move the High Court or the Supreme Court challenging the revocation. Alternatively, he could also seek permission from courts in the UK to stay there.
Earlier this week, after the Enforcement Directorate asked the government to organize Mr Mallya's deportation, the government had said it would ensure that he is
brought home "to face justice".Sources say the ED is also considering sending an extradition request, which will have to be decided by a UK court.
Separately, a court in Mumbai had
issued an arrest warrant for Mr Mallya this week after he failed to appear before investigators looking into the finances of his Kingfisher Airlines, which ceased operating in 2012.
The agency's investigation relates to 900 crores loaned by the state-run IDBI bank in 2009 to Kingfisher Airlines, despite allegedly knowing it was suffering financial troubles -- leading the bank to sustain huge losses. The Enforcement Directorate has accused him of siphoning off money from Kingfisher to buy property abroad -- a claim he has denied.
Mr Mallya inherited United Breweries Group (UBG) from his father at the age of 28 and turned it into one of the world's largest spirit makers.
His profile rose further when he acquired a stake in the Force India F1 team and ownership of the Royal Challengers Bangalore cricket team.
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.