ED seeks MEA intervention to bring back Vijay Mallya

Agency writes to the ministry, requesting Mallya's deportation from the United Kingdom

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has begun extradition proceedings against industrialist Vijay Mallya in connection with money laundering probe against him and Kingfisher Airlines.

Confirming the development, an ED official told Business Standard, “The agency had placed an ‘extradition request’ in this regard before the Ministry of External Affairs 

(MEA) for extraditing Mallya which is expected to be subsequently sent to the authorities in United Kingdom (UK) for his deportation to India.”

Extradition is the official process whereby one country transfers a suspected or convicted criminal to another country.

The enforcement sleuths also requested MEA to start the process of Interpol notices which will be through the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

The move came after the Special Court for Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) cases issued non-bailable warrant (NBW) against Mallya on April 18.

Business Standard reviewed the copy of NBW order by PMLA court. The order read: “Vijay Mallya, accused in the case stand charges with the offence punishable under Section 4 of PMLA has failed to appear before investigation officer since in spite of issuing necessary process. This Court having good and sufficient reasons to believe that the said accused will not appear before this court unless compelled to do so.”

“ED is hereby directed to arrest Mallya and produce him before me. The warrant shall remain in force until it is cancelled by the court who has issued it or until it is executed,” said the order.

Mallya failed to appear before the agency despite three summons sent to him.