Vijay Mallya's Legal Battles: A Fugitive's Dilemma

Fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya, embroiled in multiple fraud and money laundering cases, has informed the Bombay High Court that his return to India is uncertain due to legal restrictions in the UK. Mallya, whose passport was revoked, cannot provide a definitive timeline for his return, explained through his counsel, Amit Desai.

A bench, including Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Gautam Ankhad, stipulated that Mallya's plea against his fugitive status would not be entertained until he appears in India. Two petitions are under his name — one challenges his status as a fugitive offender, and the other questions the constitutional viability of the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act.

Mallya, residing in the UK since 2016, faces accusations of defaulting on hefty loans and is constrained by English legal orders from leaving the country. His counsel argued that his physical presence in India was unnecessary for the court to consider his pleas. Meanwhile, the Union government is directed to respond to Mallya's statement, with further hearings scheduled next month.