ED writes to 6 countries seeking info on Vijay Mallya’s financial transactions

The latest move comes in the midst of extradition proceedings against Mallya that were initiated by prosecutors in United Kingdom.

Enforcement Directorate (ED) has sent judicial requests to governments of six countries seeking information related to liquor baron Vijay Mallya against whom extradition proceedings are underway in a London court.

Vijay Mallya is seen during a press conference at Silverstone motor racing circuit in Silverstone, central England on July 14, 2017. (AFP)

Judicial requests, also known as Letter Rogatory (LR) have been sent to United States of America, France, South Africa, Ireland, Singapore and Mauritius, sources told Hindustan Times.

Directorate officials said investigators were seeking information on any financial transactions that might have occurred between Mallya-owned now defunct Kingfisher Airlines and banks based out of the six countries. Furthermore information on Mallya's investments abroad is also being sought by the ED, sources said.

The latest move comes in the midst of extradition proceedings against Mallya that were initiated by prosecutors in United Kingdom in May at the Westminster Magistrates Court in London.

Once called the ‘king of good times’, the liquor baron is facing investigations for alleged financial fraud and money laundering by the ED and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). A consortium of banks has accused him of wilfully defaulting on loans amounting to Rs 9,000 crore. He fled to London in March last year.