CBI accepts mistake over Mallya's lookout notice which was changed from 'arrest' to 'inform only'

After Mallya’s return, Bureau of Immigration asked CBI if Mallya should be arrested as mentioned in LOC; to which CBI said that there is no need to arrest him since he is an MP at present and there is no warrant against him

File PTI image of Vijay Mallya

New Delhi: Amid wrangle over fugitive Vijay Mallya meeting Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in the parliament, the Central Bureau of Investigation has accepted its fault over change in the lookout notice against the liquor baron. Mallya’s notice was changed from ‘arrest’ to only ‘lookout’. The CBI on Thursday said that the change in the lookout notice against Mallya was an error in judgement. Earlier, BJP leader Subramanian Swamy had also raised questions on the same. While citing the reason behind change in lookout notice, CBI said “Mallya was being supportive during the investigation at that time and there was no warrant against him.” After three years, when the matter again came to light, CBI sources said that “On October 12, 2015 when first lookout notice was issued against Mallya, he wasn’t in India”. After Mallya’s return, Bureau of Immigration asked CBI if Mallya should be arrested as mentioned in LOC; to which CBI said that there is no need to arrest him since he is an MP at present and there is no warrant against him. CBI at that time only sought the details about the movements by Mallya. As per CBI sources, the probe against Mallya was in its initial stage and agency was collecting documents from IDBI pertaining to Rs900 crore loan default case. As per CBI sources, a fresh LOC was issued against Mallya in the last week of November 2015; where all the airports of India were asked to give details about all his movements. As soon as this circular was issued, the previous circular which sought his arrest was cancelled and BOI kept from arresting Mallya, since the same wasn’t mentioned in the circular.