ED LIKELY TO SEEK INTERPOL’S HELP TO ARREST VIJAY MALLYA
NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) will likely seek Interpol’s cooperation to have liquor baron Vijay Mallya deported to India, similar to how gangster Chhota Rajan was brought back after he was arrested in Indonesia last year.
A non- bailable war rant (NBW) was issued by a Mumbai court against Mallya on April 18, opening the doors for the ED to seek a Red Corner Notice (RCN) — the global police body’s alert that facilitates arrest anywhere across the world and subsequent detention.
However, the NBW itself cannot be implemented as Mallya left India a month ago.
He left India on March 2 as creditor banks closed in on him to recover a ` 9,200-crore debt owed by Kingfisher Airlines (KFA) Limited, Mallya’s defunct airline company.
Mallya, a Rajya Sabha MP, ignored three summons to appear before the ED, leading to the ministry suspending his diplomatic passport and threatening to revoke it unless Mallya responded within a week.
The liquor baron had earlier sought time till May to join the probe, posting on Twitter that he wasn’t on the run and would abide by the law.
He had also offered to pay ` 4,000 crore by September to settle the loan, an offer the banks rejected.
His current whereabouts are unknown, though it is believed he left for the UK.
A source said the warrant will help ED approach courts for “per mission to initiate extradition proceedings against Mallya.”
Once the courts give permission, the ED can approach the external affairs ministry to get in touch with UK authorities for Mallya’s extradition.
MALLYA IGNORED THREE SUMMONS TO APPEAR BEFORE THE ED, LEADING TO THE MINISTRY SUSPENDING HIS DIPLOMATIC PASSPORT