One of the most controversial businessmen of India has no interest to return to India. The statement was given by the Enforcement Directorate to the Delhi Court. The statement was made in the backdrop of Mallya’s claim that he wanted to return to India but was “incapacitated” to travel as his passport had been revoked by Indian authorities. ED submitted their documents before chief metropolitan magistrate Sumit Dass with Mallaya’s possible intention.
The court had earlier asked the liquor king to appear before court for his allegedly evading summons in a FERA violation matter. The ED counsel has also opposed Mallya’s plea seeking as a excuse from personal appearance on the ground of lack of passport. Advocate N K Matta, public prosecutor for the ED told the court that under the provisions of law, Mallya can be given travel documents, even if he has no passport.
Advocate N K Matta cleared the fact and explained: “The conduct of the accused shows that he has no intention to come to India. His passport was impounded because of his own conduct. There are provisions in law and he can approach the authorities for travel document in case of emergency, if he has no passport.He has no intention to come.”
The summon was issued to the businessman in connection with alleged payment of US $200,000 to a British firm to display Kingfisher logo in Formula One World Championships in London and some European countries in 1996, 1997 and 1998. The money was allegedly paid without prior approval from RBI in violation of FERA norms. Thus a non-bailable warrant against the Chairman of the Kingfisher Airlines was issued to secure his presence in the ongoing trial of the case.
Mallya and his companies have been embroiled in financial scandals controversies since 2012 and he left India on 2 March 2016. 17 Indian banks are trying to collect approximately ₹9,000 crore as a loan. The Supreme Court of India in March 2016 to try to prevent Mallya from leaving the country, but till then he had already left. His Kingfisher Airlines that was established as a major business venture in 2005 later became insolvent and was shut down in 2012.
