Off the wire
1st Ld-Writethru: China to regulate live streaming  • Britain urged to honor its commitments on Tibet  • Aoun's election as Lebanon's president not in Israel's interest: Iranian official  • Top political advisor commends China Soong Ching Ling Foundation  • 1st LD: Rebels in Aleppo fire rockets blocking evacuation of militants  • Immediate action needed as Paris Agreement enters into force: WMO  • China lodges representations with ROK over using force against its fishermen  • 600,000 children in hurricane-hit Haiti still in need of aid: UNICEF  • China warns of cross-border stock market manipulation  • Mediterranean migrant deaths soars to 4,220: IOM  
You are here:   Home

Arrest warrants issued against fugitive Indian liquor baron

Xinhua, November 4, 2016 Adjust font size:

Two Indian courts Friday issued two separate non-bailable warrants against indebted liquor baron Vijay Mallya, who is currently in Britain.

While the first warrant was issued by a court in Delhi in a case of alleged violation of foreign exchange rules after Mallya failed to appear before the court, the second one was issued in a 2012 cheque-bounce case.

The Indian External Affairs Ministry has been asked to execute the warrants.

India had revoked Mallya passport in May and asked Britain to deport him, a request denied by London on the grounds that he had entered that country on a valid passport.

This is not then first time that arrest warrants were issued against the business tycoon, who is said to owe Indian banks 1 billion U.S. dollars. At least two warrants had been earlier issued by courts in India -- one in April this year and the other in August.

The flamboyant businessman made his fortune selling beer under the Kingfisher brand and branched out into aviation, Formula One racing, and Indian cricket. His debts were incurred by the failure of his airline and he is being pursued by a group of mainly state-run banks who lent him money.

However, Mallya denied any wrongdoing and even took to social media in March to claim he was a victim of a "media witch hunt." He had also denied fleeing to Britain, saying he was a global businessman who had to travel abroad. Endit