Indian agencies on Monday sought help in securing the custody of businessman Vijay Mallya, at a meeting with their British counterparts, under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) for his prosecution in a money laundering case against him.
At the Enforcement Directorate’s instance, the Union Home Ministry has forwarded to the External Affairs Ministry a request for the “transfer” of Mr. Mallya from London to India under Article 11 (1)(d) of the 1995 treaty.
“We got the request from the ED around 10 days ago and have forwarded it to the MEA for necessary action. They will take up the matter with the U.K. authorities,” a Home Ministry official said.
Legal representatives of the two Ministries and the investigating agencies participated in the crucial meeting with the U.K. legal team. Another round of discussions, on about 16 pending extradition requests and judicial requests seeking information on various cases, will be held on Tuesday.
Mr. Mallya faces criminal proceedings by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the ED in two major cases of default of bank loans of ₹9,000 crore.
He flew out to London last March and refused to come back despite court intervention. His diplomatic passport was cancelled and non-bailable warrants issued against him. He has been declared a proclaimed offender.
After its request for his deportation was turned down by the U.K. on technical grounds, the Directorate had moved a request to transfer Mr. Mallya under the MLAT agreement, for assistance in the investigations or giving evidence in the legal proceedings. It is learnt that the Indian agencies sought help from their U.K. counterparts in implementing the relevant MLAT provisions for expeditious legal proceedings against Mr. Mallya.
The CBI is also expected to raise the issue of its request for the extradition of Mr. Mallya, following a clearance from a Mumbai special court. The agency has filed a chargesheet against him, senior functionaries of the Kingfisher Airlines and some IDBI officials.
(With Vijaita Singh)
