CBI told that Vijay Mallya will return by month-end: Report
The business tycoon was called for questioning by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the Rs 7,000 crore he owes to 17 banks in India.
After Vijay Mallya on Friday defended himself and said he had not fled the country, his lawyers told the Central Bureau of Investigation that he will return to India by the end of the month, dna reported. Mallya owes more than Rs 7,000 crore to 17 banks in India, and left for England on March 2 soon after resigning as chairman of United Spirits. On Friday, the Enforcement Directorate had also asked Mallya to appear before it, in connection with the money he owes.
Several IDBI bank officials will also be questioned, particularly on why the bank had sanctioned loans to Kingfisher Airlines when the airline was incurring huge losses in 2009. The ED is reportedly trying to establish whether Mallya and the banks worked together as his loans were not backed by enough collateral.
On Friday, HDFC bank put United Spirits stock on the market, after Mallya had earlier provided it to them as collateral. Economic Times reported that the stock earned as much as Rs 71 crore on the market, from 3 lakh shares. It had sold 1.5 lakh shares in December. Other assets banks plans to sell include Mallya’s Goa residence, which may earn around Rs 50 crore. Banks have also called for bids for the Kingfisher Airlines headquarters in Mumbai. The airline shut down in 2012, after incurring huge losses and having its licence cancelled by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.