Mallya not to appear before ED today

Mallya has conveyed to the ED his inability to make a personal appearance, seeking almost one-month extension

Businessman Vijay Mallya will not appear before the Enforcement Directorate on Saturday to join investigations against him in the alleged IDBI Bank Rs.900-crore loan money laundering case. He has sought more time from the agency, which is yet to take a decision on the issue.

According to sources, Mr. Mallya has conveyed to the ED his inability to make a personal appearance before the probe team in Mumbai, seeking almost one-month extension. The agency had earlier summoned him on March 18. However, the liquor baron said it would not be possible for him to return to India by then. He was subsequently told to appear on April 2.

On Saturday, the ED will decide further court of action against Mr. Mallya.

The Hindu had last month reported that the agency was preparing to issue fresh summons against him if he failed to show up in response to the second notice.

In case he does not turn up despite repeated summons, the ED has the option of approaching the court seeking an arrest warrant, which would enable the agency to initiate further legal proceedings against him.

The businessman had left for London on March 2, sparking a major controversy. Through his Twitter account, he later refuted the allegations that he fled the country.

A couple of days ago, in the Supreme Court, the now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines chairman offered to pay Rs.4,000 crore to the banks as partial settlement of debts to the tune of Rs.9,000 crore. He also submitted before the court that the atmosphere in the country was too vitiated for him to return immediately. He also accused the media of fuelling a “surcharged atmosphere” against him.

In the past few weeks, the ED and the Central Bureau of Investigation have quizzed several senior functionaries of Kingfisher Airlines, United Breweries (UB) group and IDBI Bank in connection with the case.