Why Red-Corner Notice against Mallya: Interpol

Says evidence not enough; will hear him before proceeding

Interpol has sought reasons from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on why a Red-Corner Notice (RCN) should be issued on liquor baron Vijay Mallya, who is facing a probe related to alleged money laundering in India.

An RCN is issued “to seek the location and arrest of wanted persons with a view to extradition or similar lawful action” in a criminal case probe.

The enforcement agency had received queries from the Interpol to this effect in May last week. Among the queries raised by the Interpol Secretariat to the ED the evidences available against Mallya, the details of the other accused in the case, and the offence based on which the agency registered a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), besides reasons for the delay in the investigation.

Interpol has also informed the ED that Mallya’s version needs to be heard before going ahead with the notice, as it’s a case of financial irregularities.

On May 12, the ED had sought an Interpol arrest warrant against Mallya to make him join a probe in connection with Rs 950-crore IDBI bank loan fraud case, for which the ED had registered a criminal case under the anti-money laundering laws early this year.

Sources in the ED said the agency had submitted all documents to the Interpol along with a non-bailable warrant and investigation details. The ED is yet to reply to the queries raised by Interpol.

According to sources, ED sleuths are not surprised with the queries raised by Interpol, like the latter did in former IPL chief Lalit Modi’s case. Interpol is yet to issue a wanted notice against the former IPL chief, citing lack of evidence. The ED has so far received seven rounds of queries for issuance of an Interpol notice against Modi.

The ED had written to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to obtain RCN against Mallya from the global police body. The CBI acts as the nodal office for execution of Interpol warrants in India.