"Legally Barred from Leaving UK": Vijay Mallya Tells Bombay HC He Cannot Specify Return Date to India

Fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya, who is accused of defaulting on loans worth thousands of crores from Indian banks and fleeing to London, has informed the Bombay High Court that he is unable to return to India at this time. He stated that he cannot specify a precise date for his return due to legal restrictions and the absence of a valid travel document. On behalf of Mallya, Senior Advocate Amit Desai submitted a formal statement to the court. The statement highlighted two primary reasons for Mallya’s inability to travel.

Mallya does not possess an active Indian passport, as it was revoked by the Indian government in 2016. There are standing orders from the courts in England and Wales that explicitly prohibit him from leaving their jurisdiction or possessing any international travel documents. The division bench, comprising Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Gautam Ankhad, had previously refused to hear Mallya's petition last week. Mallya has challenged his status as a Fugitive Economic Offender (FEO) and questioned the constitutional validity of the FEO Act. The High Court had made its stance clear, stating it would not entertain the petition unless Mallya submitted to the jurisdiction of Indian courts. The bench had questioned whether Mallya had any genuine intention of returning to India to face trial.

During the hearing, Amit Desai argued that his client’s physical presence should not be a prerequisite for the court to hear his legal challenge. He contended that if Mallya were to return, he would no longer be classified as a "fugitive," potentially making his current petitions infructuous. The court has directed the Central Government to file a response to Mallya's statement and has adjourned the matter for further hearing in March 2026.