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The Centre on Friday suspended liquor baron Vijay Mallya’s diplomatic passport following his repeated failure to appear before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for interrogation for alleged loan fraud.
The Ministry of External Affairs took the action based on the ED’s request and sent Mallya, who is believed to be in the UK, a notice asking why his passport should not be revoked under Section 10 (3) of the Passport Act.
Also on Friday, the ED, which is investigating money laundering charges against Mallya, moved a special court in Mumbai seeking a non-bailable arrest warrant against him.
The ED had on Wednesday sought revocation of the passport in connection with the ₹900-crore IDBI Bank loan case. Mallya owes about ₹9,400 crore to a consortium of 13 banks.
Mallya, who left India in March on a diplomatic passport, did not join the ED investigations despite three summons.
“This is a sign that the government wants to bring all wilful defaulters to book,” said a senior official.
Mallya had sought time till May to appear before the ED, citing the ongoing case in the Supreme Court.
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