The Central Bureau of Investigation on Monday obtained a non-bailable warrant against businessman Vijay Mallya and has initiated the process to have him extradited from the United Kingdom, PTI reported. The warrant was issued by a special court in Mumbai in connection with the case in which Mallya owes Rs 9,000 crore to a consortium of 17 Indian banks.

The former liquor baron, who left India on March 2, had claimed that he was unable to return because the External Affairs Ministry had suspended his passport. The Centre, however, had countered his argument, saying Mallya could have easily applied for an Emergency Certificate at an Indian Embassy or High Commission.

India had pressed for Mallya’s extradition during British Prime Minister Theresa May’s three-day visit to the country. The embattled businessman had said earlier that he was unlikely to return to the country.

On October 25, the Supreme Court had directed Mallya to furnish details of his foreign assets. A bench of the top court had asked him to file an affidavit within four weeks, disclosing what he had done with the $40 million (approximately Rs 266 crore) that Diageo Plc had paid him for his shares in United Breweries. The court will take the matter up again on November 24.

Moreover, a Delhi trial court had issued a non-bailable warrant against him on November 4 for evading summons issued to him in connection with a case related to violating the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act. The court had said that Mallya had no regard for Indian law and had no intention to return to the country.