Vijay Mallya has left the country, Supreme Court told

Vijay Mallya left the country on March 2, the Supreme Court was informed today. The Supreme Court is hearing a plea by 17 banks seeking a directive to prevent Mallya from leaving the country.

The court has posted further hearing on the matter to March 30 while issuing notices to Mallya.

When the matter came up for hearing, the Attorney General of India informed that he had left the country on March 2. The banks too in their submission told the Bench that they were told by the CBI that Mallya had left the country.

The Bench however took the banks to task while asking tough questions. The Bench asked the bank why they had given him so much loan when they knew his assets were mostly overseas.

Banks normally give loans on secured assets, but you did not do that Justice Kurian hearing the matter observed today.

The Central Bureau of Investigation which is probing cases against him feels he may already be in London. We are looking into an officer said when contacted. Whether he is in London or elsewhere, we are not yet sure, but we are ascertaining the same the officer also informed.

On Sunday Mallya had issued a statement in which he said that he had no plans of leaving the country and also added that he is in talks with the banks for a one time settlement.

The past week has witnessed a lot of activity relating to Mallya. The Enforcement Directorate commenced a probe against him and the Debt Recovery Tribunal had also barred Diageo from paying the one time settlement to him.