UK-based businessman Vijay Mallya has been granted a final opportunity by the Bombay High Court to return to India and face legal proceedings to potentially have his “fugitive economic offender” status revoked. The court criticized Mallya for seeking relief from an Indian court while residing abroad, emphasizing that he must engage with the legal process in India.
Mallya had filed a petition challenging the constitutionality of the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act and the proceedings that labeled him as a fugitive economic offender. The court expressed its reluctance to entertain Mallya’s plea unless he demonstrated a willingness to return to India. Despite this, the court decided to give Mallya another chance to clarify his stance on the matter.
The next court hearing for Mallya has been scheduled for February 18, with the court instructing him to submit an affidavit outlining his plans to return to India. The Finance Ministry has identified Mallya, the former owner of Kingfisher Airlines, as one of the 15 individuals designated as Fugitive Economic Offenders for allegedly causing significant financial losses to Indian banks.
