ED constrained to act against Vijay Mallya in money-laundering case

Viajy Mallya, who owes Indian banks thousands of crores, has expressed his inability to appear before the Enforcement Directorate on Saturday despite the three summonses issued to him to do so `in the present circumstances.' In a message to the ED, Vijay Mallya has asked for further time for him to appear before the ED. The directorate of course has reached the limit of three summonses and cannot issue further summons. Therefore, it would be constrained to decalare him an absconder under the Prevention of Money-Laundering Act. The King of good times, who greatly benefited from the leniency of the Indian banks, told the ED that at present he was engaged in a dialogue with the consortium of Indian banks via video conferencing. After the talks reach a certain point, he would be able to return to India. Therefore he required more time to appear before the ED on the money-laundering charges against him levelled by the ED. The ED officials will have to respond to the message. Would they declare him an absconder remains to be seen. The latest message from Vijay Mallya was the third request so far asking for an extension. They are considering two courses of action -- revoking his passport or issuing a non-bailable warrant. Both ways, Vijay Mallya would not be affected because he is safe in his Ladywalk estate near London.