On Wednesday, The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that it received information from the United Kingdom that Vijay Mallya cannot be deported to India, for not having an Indian passport that is valid.
MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup said, “The UK government has informed us that under the 1971 Immigration Act, the UK does not require an individual to hold a valid passport in order to remain in the UK if they have extant leave to remain as long as their passport was valid when leave to remain or enter the UK was conferred. At the same time the UK acknowledges the seriousness of the allegations and is keen to assist Government of India. They have asked GoI to consider requesting mutual legal assistance or extradition.”
Earlier, the UK government sent a note verbale to the High Commission of India, which said that it cant deport Mallya in spite of diplomatic passport being revoked by the MEA on 24 April 2016. However, the note was a less formal diplomatic communication, it is usually unsigned.
The non-resident Indian has a UK residency permit since 1992. According to the Indian government, the liquor baron has been staying on valid UK visa even though his passport got canceled.
- Sumana
