Fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya has communicated to the Bombay High Court that he is unable to provide a timeline for his return to India, citing legal restrictions imposed on him in the United Kingdom. In a statement presented through his attorney, Amit Desai, Mallya indicated that he no longer possesses an active Indian passport and is legally prevented from traveling outside the UK due to court orders in England and Wales.

Court’s Response to Mallya’s Plea

The statement from Mallya comes in response to a directive issued by a bench consisting of Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Gautam Ankhad. Last week, the court had indicated that it would not consider his plea contesting the designation of him as a fugitive economic offender unless he returns to India. The bench requested Mallya to clarify his intentions regarding a possible return.

Mallya’s Legal Status in the UK

Since departing from India in March 2016, Mallya has been residing in the UK. He has filed two petitions with the Bombay High Court; one seeks to challenge the order that designated him a fugitive economic offender, while the other questions the constitutional validity of the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act. In his court statement, Mallya maintained that he cannot propose a specific date for his return due to the revocation of his passport by the Indian government in 2016. He is also subject to legal restrictions in England and Wales, which prohibit him from leaving the country.

Details from Mallya’s Statement

During the court proceedings, Desai read from Mallya’s statement, which noted that he is not permitted to leave or attempt to leave England and Wales, nor can he apply for or possess any international travel document. Thus, Mallya expressed his inability to definitively state when he might return to India.

Arguments Presented in Court

Desai further argued that Mallya’s physical presence in India is not essential for the court’s consideration of his pleas regarding the fugitive designation and the associated legal provisions. He emphasized that if Mallya were to appear in India, the ongoing proceedings would become irrelevant, as the existing statute stipulates that the order would be rendered void once the designated offender appears before the pertinent court.

Background of Legal Challenges

Mallya, now aged 70, faces numerous allegations of fraud and money laundering linked to defaults on loans totaling several thousand crores. In January 2019, he was officially declared a Fugitive Economic Offender by a special court dealing with cases under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. The Bombay High Court has instructed the Union government to respond to Mallya’s statement and has scheduled the next hearing for next month.