New Delhi: India on Thursday initiated a move to seek deportation of liquor baron Vijay Mallya. The Ministry of External Affairs has written to United Kingdom High Commission seeking Mallya's deportation.
"The ministry has written to the High Commission of the UK in Delhi requesting the deportation of Vijay Mallya so that his presence can be secured for investigations against him under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act 2002," said External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup.
He further said that Indian High Commission in the UK will also be issuing a similar note verbale to the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
"Mallya's passport was revoked last week in view of these (PMLA) investigations and non-bailable warrant issued by the Special Judge, Mumbai. We will continue to pursue this matter with UK authorities," Swarup added.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has approached the MEA seeking initiation of deportation proceedings against Mallya, charged with money laundering in the Rs 900 crore IDBI loan fraud case.
Mallya, who had left India on March 2 for the UK, can approach the British authorities to grant him permission to continue his stay in that country or challenge the revocation of his passport.
The Ethics Committee of Rajya Sabha has decided to recommend expulsion of Mallya. However, he has been given him one week to explain his position.
