India consulting legal experts on Mallya's deportation

New Delhi: With the Enforcement Directorate seeking Vijay Mallya's deportation from the United Kingdom in connection with its probe into alleged default on Rs 900 crore loan taken by the beleaguered liquor baron from IDBI Bank, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday said it is consulting legal experts on the next steps "On the basis of that non-bailable warrant, they (Enforcement Directorate) have requested us to consider initiating steps for the deportation of Shri Vijay Mallya to India to ensure his presence before the lawful authorities to proceed with the investigation against him. We are currently consulting legal experts on the next steps in this particular matter," MEA official spokesperson Vikas Swarup told the media here. The Enforcement Directorate had earlier written to the MEA, seeking initiation of deportation proceedings against Mallya. The MEA had last week suspended Mallya's diplomatic passport and sought a reply from him as to why his passport should not be revoked as Enforcement Directorate said the liquor baron was not cooperating in the probe in the case under the stringent Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court had on Wednesday directed the Enforcement Directorate to execute the non-bailable warrant against Mallya in a case of laundering Rs. 900 crore.