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India has asked the UK to deport Vijay Mallya, whose Kingfisher Airlines has been accused of defaulting bank loans of over Rs 9,400 crore (Rs 94 billion), citing the revocation of his passport and a non-bailable warrant against him.
External Affairs Ministry also emphasised that India will continue pursuing Mallya's deportation matter with the UK authorities.
Four days after Ministry of External Affairs revoked the liquor baron's passport, ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said, "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."
He further said that Indian High Commission in the United Kingdom 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"Mallya's passport was revoked last week in view of these investigations and non-bailable warrant issued by the Special Judge, Mumbai. We will continue to pursue this matter with UK authorities," Swarup added.
ED has approached the MEA seeking initiation of deportation proceedings against Mallya, charged with money laundering in the Rs 900 crore (Rs 9 billion) 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.
Image: Vijay Mallya. Photograph: Reuters