Vijay Mallya's Twitter assurance not enough says ED

New Delhi, March 12: The CBI and the Enforcement Directorate say that an assurance on Twitter would not be sufficient and Vijay Mallya would need to communicate with us directly about when he can be present for questioning. Mallya who is currently in London has been summoned by the Enforcement Directorate on March 18 for questioning in connection with cases of loan default running into over 9,000 crore.

Mallya had left the country on March 2 at 12.54 PM (Vijay Mallya's lookout circular was amended from detain to inform in 41 days) the day the Debt Recovery Tribunal was hearing a matter against him. However Mallya yesterday in a series of tweets said that he was not an absconder and was ready to cooperate with the investigation.

Tweet assurance not enough

CBI and ED sources say that they have seen his tweets, but that is not sufficient. He will need to communicate to us directly about when he will be available for questioning.

If he fails to respond to the ED notice which mandates that he be present in India for questioning on March 18 then there are other ways to go about the matter.

The officer also said that a notice is being served through the Indian High Commission in London. The Supreme Court had earlier this week issued notice to Mallya while posting the matter for further hearingon March 30.

In case he fails to appear for questioning on March 18before the ED, another reminder would be sent. However officials would wait until March 30 to see what order the Supreme Court would pass.

Officials say that currently the notice issued to him only requires him to come back to India and face questioning. There was a look out circular that was issued on October 12 2015 which had barred him from travelling abroad.

However the detention clause in the circular was revised and the immigration authorities were directed to inform the CBI about his travel outside the country, which had been complied with.

The CBI pointed out that the circular was amended since the first one was a mistake. In the absence of a chargesheet, non-bailable warrant or court order, a circular directing his detention at the airport could not be issued.

The section detention was inadvertently ticked by an officer in the CBI of SP rank, the CBI clarified.

OneIndia News