Couldn’t ensure Mallya’s presence in FERA case: ED to court

New Delhi, Dec 18 (IANS) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday told a court here that it could not ensure fugitive liquor baron Vijay Mallya's presence before it to face trial for allegedly evading summons in a FERA violation case.

Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Deepak Shehrawat was told by the Directorate that despite its efforts -- like sending summons to Mallya's office and residences and publishing notices in various newspapers about the notice seeking appearance in the matter -- it could not ensure his presence.

The court has now listed the matter for December 22.

On November 8, the ED had moved an application before the court seeking to initiate proceedings to declare Mallya a proclaimed offender in the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act (FERA) case.

The court was hearing the final arguments in the 2000 case relating to alleged violation by Mallya of provisions of the erstwhile FERA in arranging funds to advertise his company's liquor products abroad.

On July 9, 2016, the court asked Mallya to personally appear before it on September 9, 2016, after allowing the ED's plea to withdraw the exemption given to him from personal appearance in the case.

Earlier, the court had allowed the ED plea to seek recall of a court order that granted permanent exemption from appearance to Mallya, who faces money laundering charges in India.

According to the ED, Mallya allegedly paid $200,000 to a British firm for displaying the Kingfisher logo in the Formula One World Championships in London and some European countries in 1996, 1997 and 1998.

The agency has said the money was paid without prior approval from the Reserve Bank of India, in violation of the FERA norms.

Mallya was summoned and tried in the case. He was granted exemption from personal appearance by the Delhi court on December 20, 2000.