New Delhi: The government on Friday suspended the diplomatic passport of Vijay Mallya after the business tycoon did not join the Enforcement Directorate's money laundering probe.
This was after the agency approached the External Affairs Ministry seeking revocation of his passport as he did not join the probe despite three notices. Mallya, who is a Rajya Sabha MP, holds a diplomatic passport issued by the Delhi Regional Passport Office.
A statement from the MEA said the passport was suspended for four weeks and that it would be revoked if Mallya did not respond to its notice.
Once Mallya's passport is revoked, ED still is left with the option to approach a competent court and get issued a non-bailable warrant against him and also ask the Interpol to issue a Red Corner Notice (RCN) against him and apprehend him anywhere across the globe.
Mallya is facing money laundering allegations in connection with a Rs.900-crore IDBI Bank loan default by his now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines.Sources said the agency has also cited various pending court cases against Mallya in connection with alleged loan de-frauds and dishonouring of cheques.
On April 9, Mallya dodged an ED summons for the third time since he left the country on March 2, and sought time till May. He said he would not be able to appear before the agency now as he is currently negotiating with banks for repaying the loan.
Mallya, who is facing legal proceedings for alleged default of loans worth over Rs 9,000 crore from various banks, was also directed by the Supreme Court to disclose all assets owned by him and his family in India and abroad by April 21.
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