Indian Government suspends Vijay Mallya's passport

Delhi: The government of India have suspended the passport of Liquor tycoon Vijay Mallya who was in UK when banks requested to repay nearly a billion dollar debts owned by his Kingfisher Airlines.

“On the advice of the ED, the passport issuing authority in the Ministry of External Affairs has suspended the validity of Mr. Mallya’s diplomatic passport with immediate effect for a period of four weeks, under Section 10 A of the Passports Act,” said an MEA spokesperson. A group of banks have requested the businessman to return to Mumbai for interrogation. However his lawyers have said that he is making himself available on video-conferences to banks and therefore his presence in India is not necessary.

In repeated tweets, Mr Mallya, who is a Rajya Sabha MP, has said he is not an absconder. As a parliamentarian, he has a diplomatic passport, which is suspended for a month, said the government today. He has been given a week to explain why it should not be revoked.