Image Source: Indian Express
The Ministry of External Affairs informed on Wednesday that the United Kingdom has intimidated that they cannot deport Vijay Mallya to India on the grounds of not owning a valid Indian passport.
“The UK Government has informed us that under the 1971 Immigration Act, the UK does not require an individual to hold a valid passport in order to remain in the UK if they have extant leave to remain as long as their passport was valid when leave to remain or enter the UK was conferred. At the same time the UK acknowledges the seriousness of the allegations and is keen to assist Government of India. They have asked Government of India to consider requesting mutual legal assistance or extradition, ” said Vikas Swarup, the Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs.
Mr Mallya’s passport was suspended last month and is wanted in India for unpaid loans of over a billion dollars. New Delhi had formally requested London for Mallya’s expulsion, which is faster than the process of extradition under a treaty between the two governments.
Mallya, 60, is also being probed of over Rs. 9000 crore money-laundering. He, purpotedly, flew to London on March 2 as a consortium of banks attempted to remit the money he owes them, and has ignored a series of orders to return to India to face investigations and his creditors.
Last week, he pre-empted his expulsion from the Rajya sabha or Upper House of Parliament by sending a resignation letter from London, saying he didn’t want his name and reputation to be “further dragged in the mud”.
Chairman of now-defunct-Kingfisher Airlines, Vijay Mallya had started the air service in 2003, vowing to provide Indians a luxury travel at an affordable prices. By 2012, the carrier had collapsed in financial ruin.
A consortium of 18 banks have rejected various options provided by him for remitting their loans, arguing that he must negotiate with them in person, and increase the amount he is willing to offer as a first installment towards clearing his debt.
The Enforcement Directorate is heeding into whether Mr Mallya used part of a loan to purchase properties abroad, an allegation he has denied. A Mumbai court has issued an arrest warrant for him linked to this charge.
By Isha Kulkarni with inputs from NDTV
Tags: Vijay Mallya
