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Scotland Yard arrests Mallya, who gets bail

Published

9 years ago

on

Vijay Mallya

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Liquor baron to pay for making off with over Rs 9,000 crore, but what about the banks who loaned him the money?

By Sujit Bhar

Karma catches up with you sooner or later. And when karma is worth Rs 9,000 crore in public money defalcated, it will probably catch up with you sooner rather than later, complicit banks’ wishes notwithstanding. Vijay Mallya’s arrest by Scotland Yard, around 9.30pm London time, speaks volumes about how the spat might come back at the banks, none among whom have been penalized for the massive Kingfisher Airlines scam.

Mallya, of course, was produced at the Westminster magistrate’s court later in the day and got bail. Later, he tweeted (see picture): “Usual Indian media hype. Extradition hearing in Court started today as expected.”

We have all been educated on the ills and spills of Mallya, the liquor baron who fled the country a year back, his first class luggage comprising 11 massive suitcases full of goodies that nobody within the law enforcement system presumably saw. He stayed out, spending time at parties and with his Force India Formula One team. Mallya has said he has been termed guilty “without a trial”.

India had taken time to react, having asked the British government only in February to have Mallya extradited. In India he will be facing charges of money laundering and there are several warrants out in the country for him. India cited its extradition treaty with the UK and the extradition request was handed over to the British High Commission in Delhi through a note verbale on February 8.
This is not to say that Mallya can no more manipulate the law enforcement system in India. His party days maybe over for the time being, but freedom isn’t that far off either (if he is transferred back to India, at all, that is. He has already got bail). India’s law enforcement agencies have been as much at fault as the banks, for not only allowing him to flee, but for allowing the businessman run away with huge debts on his shoulders in the first place. Technically, as per recent announcements by the government, there is a move to shift all bank NPAs into another company that will do the necessary debt restructuring. That would also imply that the NPAs will have been removed from the banks’ books. With them will, probably, be removed names such as Vijay Mallya’s.

Technically, the corrupt system of India suits Mallya better than the better organized financial system of the UK where he thought he would spend the rest of his grey-hair days, frolicking. Mallya, in India, will once again land amid his sycophants and cronies, building a formidable legal wall and a Gordian knot that nobody will have the sense to untie with a swishing blade.

On the other hand, if the UK allows his deportation, and if the law acts tough, Mallya will have tomes to write about corrupt bank officials who acted in cohorts with him in siphoning off public money into offshore accounts.

Proclaimed offender

India’s extradition request—Mallya has been declared a proclaimed offender—to the UK government for Mallya was certified by the UK Secretary of State (home minister).

Which meant that the British government realised the gravity of the situation and decided to take action, if the magistrate so felt. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Gopal Baglay has been quoted in the media as saying: “The UK home department on February 21 conveyed that the request of India for extradition of Mallya has been certified by the secretary of state and sent to the Westminster Magistrates’ Court for a district judge to consider the issue of releasing of warrant.”

It, of course, took into consideration a Delhi court’s decision last week to put out an open-ended non-bailable warrant against him in a case of foreign exchange violation. The 61-year-old’s passport had been cancelled earlier, but initial approaches to the British government fell through because he had a valid British visa and could legally stay in London.

Now that the London court has granted him bail, things just might get a little more complicated for India. The CBI’s chargesheet against Mallya is on cheating and conspiracy. He defaulted on a Rs 900 crore loan from the IDBI bank in 2009. As per the chargesheet Rs 250 crore of this money, meant to buy aircraft, went to one of his offshore accounts instead.

$ 40 million for his children

Technically Mallya is being prosecuted on several counts, including FERA violations. It was the FERA violations issue that can get him back to India, though his huge defalcations from banks rank pretty high. Recently, amid this controversy, Mallya had transferred $40 million to his children. He gave little explanation on his position on this huge transfer. In a tweet he said: “I have humbly obeyed every single Court Order without exception. Seems as if Government is bent upon holding me guilty without fair trial.”

Another interesting tweet by Mallya said: “Public Sector Banks have policies for One Time Settlements. Hundreds of borrowers have settled. Why should this be denied to us?” He said that the loan settlement offer has been rejected by the lenders (banks).

The banking scam and the insolvency door

Now to the banks. Before going into the details, one must recall an interesting comment made by finance minister Arun Jaitley last year. In an effort to explain the fall of Kingfisher Airlines, Jaitley reportedly commented that maybe Mallya’s business model was not right, because other airline companies were making money.

Then he said that law says that a Member of Parliament could lose his membership if he becomes an “adjudged insolvent”. Problem is, for that a bankruptcy law is necessary.

“Generally, if you are not paying, that is different from the legal language in the constitution. There has to be a system under which you are adjudicated and judged as a declared insolvent and that only happens if you have an insolvency law in place. That’s what the parliamentary committee is looking at, not in his context but independent of that,” Jaitley had said.

This one has to pass without comment.

But that the banks were complicit cannot be washed away. It is strange, why Mallya is being considered the only guilty person in all this. Banks, per se, deal with public money. If a bank is lending to an entity, it is the responsibility of the bank (especially when it is a PSU) to verify the credentials of the intended debtor. Loans for small and micro projects are impossible to come by from banks. This has become a proven truth. But when it comes to these big borrowers, the banks’ purse strings open up.

This is a key situation. If Mallya returns, banks should not get away with their ends of deals.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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Delhi Police offers 11-person limit for CJP’s Connaught Place protest

Delhi Police has offered to facilitate a group of 11 people at Central Park in Connaught Place for the Cockroach Janata Party’s October 16 protest, while warning that violations of prohibitory orders could invite legal action.

Published

4 hours ago

on

October 15, 2026

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CJP protest to continue

Delhi Police has proposed allowing a group of 11 people to carry the national flag and sing the national anthem at Central Park in Connaught Place on October 16, ahead of a protest called by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) over alleged electoral fraud.

The police said it could facilitate the group at a suitable place in the park, while appealing to the public not to join the proposed gathering in large numbers. The offer comes amid prohibitory orders in Connaught Place and adjoining areas under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke has called on people to assemble at Central Park at 5 pm on Friday with the national flag. The proposed demonstration, named “Lehra Do Tiranga”, follows the detention of CJP members Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka during an earlier protest.

Why Delhi Police proposed limiting the gathering

In its statement, Delhi Police cited the prevailing security and law-and-order situation in the area. It also referred to information from the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) that Central Park would remain closed on October 16 and 17 for administrative reasons.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Neha Yadav said the NDMC had informed the police about the closure and had asked that no gathering be allowed near the park.

The police also cited representations from trader and market associations in Connaught Place and surrounding areas. According to the police, the associations had raised concerns about unlawful assemblies and their impact on businesses, particularly during the festive season.

Police warned that violations of Section 163 BNSS would invite appropriate legal action. It also stressed that the national flag must be displayed and carried, and the national anthem sung, in the prescribed manner with due respect and dignity.

Delhi High Court declines to stop CJP protest

The proposed gathering reached the Delhi High Court after a vendor sought intervention over concerns about disruption to businesses and public movement in Connaught Place.

On Thursday, the court declined to restrain the CJP from holding the protest. It recorded the police’s assurance that all possible measures under the law would be taken to regulate the gathering and maintain peace.

The petition was filed by a vendor at Palika Bazar in Connaught Place, who raised concerns about the potential impact of the demonstration on traders and others working in the area.

Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma, appearing for the authorities, told the court that steps had already been taken to regulate the proposed protest.

CJP’s protest call follows detention of party members

Dipke’s October 16 protest call follows earlier demonstrations over alleged electoral fraud. CJP members Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka are in jail on trespass charges after raising the national flag at Jantar Mantar earlier this week, according to the report.

The party has been protesting over alleged electoral fraud and has raised questions about the Election Commission.

Dipke has urged people to gather at Central Park with the national flag, arguing that raising the Tricolour should not be treated as a crime.

The police’s proposal to facilitate a group of 11 people came as the authorities sought to prevent a larger gathering at the site. The CJP’s response to the police’s offer was still awaited in the report published on October 15.

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Actor Imran Khan asked to leave India after CJP protest

Actor Imran Khan has been asked to leave India by October 28, days after participating in a protest called by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) in Mumbai.

Published

5 hours ago

on

October 15, 2026

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Actor Imran Khan, nephew of Bollywood star Aamir Khan, has been asked to leave India by the Mumbai Police, days after participating in a protest organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) in Mumbai.

According to the notice, the actor has been given until October 28 to leave the country. The development follows his participation in the demonstration, which brought the actor into the spotlight over his involvement in a political protest.

Imran Khan is believed to hold US citizenship and an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card rather than full Indian citizenship, according to the report.

What led to the notice against Imran Khan?

The notice came days after Imran Khan joined a protest called by the CJP in Mumbai. The group, described as a satirical political organisation, had called for the demonstration.

The actor’s participation was followed by action from the authorities, with the Mumbai Police directing him to leave India by the specified deadline.

The notice does not, by itself, mean that the actor has already left the country or has been deported. October 28 is the deadline mentioned for his departure.

Imran Khan and his citizenship status

Imran Khan is known for his work in Hindi films, including Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na and Delhi Belly. He is also the nephew of actor Aamir Khan.

The report states that Imran Khan is believed to be a US citizen and hold an OCI card. OCI status does not confer Indian citizenship, although it provides eligible foreign citizens of Indian origin with specified privileges under Indian law.

The notice directing the actor to leave India follows his participation in the Mumbai protest. The reported development has brought attention to the intersection of immigration rules and the participation of foreign nationals in political demonstrations.

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India News

Election Commission orders voter roll revision in 17 states, UTs

The Election Commission has ordered a Special Summary Revision of electoral rolls in 17 states and Union Territories. Draft rolls are scheduled for November 12, with final rolls due on January 4, 2027.

Published

5 hours ago

on

October 15, 2026

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The Election Commission of India (ECI) has ordered a Special Summary Revision (SSR) of electoral rolls in 17 states and Union Territories, with the exercise aimed at facilitating voter registration and including eligible electors who may have been left out during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR).

The order was issued on Thursday, October 15, amid continuing political controversy over the SIR process and concerns raised by opposition parties regarding the exclusion of names from electoral rolls.

Under the announced schedule, January 1, 2027, will be the qualifying date for the revision. The draft electoral rolls are scheduled to be published on November 12, while the final rolls are due on January 4, 2027. Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, two states included in the exercise, are scheduled to go to the polls by February 2027.

Which states and Union Territories are covered?

The Special Summary Revision will cover the following 17 states and Union Territories:

  • Andaman and Nicobar Islands
  • Assam
  • Bihar
  • Chhattisgarh
  • Goa
  • Gujarat
  • Kerala
  • Lakshadweep
  • Madhya Pradesh
  • Manipur
  • Puducherry
  • Punjab
  • Rajasthan
  • Tamil Nadu
  • Uttar Pradesh
  • Uttarakhand
  • West Bengal

The Election Commission’s order follows earlier instructions issued to state election officials on September 29 to undertake a special drive to enrol eligible voters who had been left out, along with young and first-time electors.

Why has the Election Commission ordered the revision?

The announcement comes amid protests and political disagreements over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Opposition parties have raised concerns about names being excluded during the exercise.

Another point of contention has been an additional declaration required from applicants submitting Form 6 for voter enrolment while the SIR was underway. The declaration required applicants to map their parents to the last SIR, which was conducted around 20 years ago.

The Election Commission had clarified on October 7 that the additional declaration applied only in states and Union Territories where the SIR was being conducted. It said the regular forms prescribed under the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, would apply outside the SIR period.

The latest SSR order refers to applications for inclusion through Form 6 but does not mention the additional declaration.

What happens in states not covered by the current schedule?

The Election Commission has said that the schedule for the Special Summary Revision will be announced later in states and Union Territories where the SIR is ongoing or has recently been completed.

These include Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, the National Capital Territory of Delhi, Odisha, Sikkim, Tripura and Telangana.

For Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh, where the SIR has not yet started, the schedule for electoral roll revision will be announced in due course, taking local weather conditions into account.

The Election Commission’s latest order sets out a separate timeline for the 17 states and Union Territories covered by the current SSR exercise, while leaving the schedules for the other regions to be announced later.

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