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India revokes Mallya’s passport

The Ministry of External Affairs revoked Mallya’s passport under different sections of passport act.

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The Ministry had suspended the passport of Mallya earlier this month on the recommendation of Enforcement Directorate (ED) after he failed to appear before the agency thrice.

The foreign ministry spokesman Vikas Swarup had said that government is committed to bringing Vijay Mallya back to face justice, and is considering steps for Mallya’s deportation.

Revokation of passport implies that the 60-year-old businessman’s stay in Britain is illegal, but he can appeal against the decision before the High Court and finally the Supreme Court.

However, Mallya fled India early last month and has not returned since, and is said to be now residing in London.

Following the request from the ED to bring back Mallya back to the country, the external affairs ministry on Friday had said that it had initiated the deportation of the liquor baron.

His profile rose further when he acquired a stake in the Force India F1 team and ownership of the Royal Challengers Bangalore cricket team.

According to reports, the Enforcement Directorate will approach the Interpol next week itself for a notice to arrest Mallya.

Separately, he is being chased by a group of mostly state-run banks over $1.34 billion in unpaid loans made to the airline.

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Critics say the government has not done enough to tackle the issue of wealthy individuals such as Mallya, who obtain huge loans which they later fail to repay. He has a diplomatic passport because he is a member of the upper house of India’s parliament.

Tridents owner Mallya fighting battle to stave off creditors