A UK High Court judge has issued an enforcement order in favour of a consortium of 13 Indian banks, seeking to recover funds owed to them by fugitive tycoon Vijay Mallya.
This order enables 13 Indian banks which include State Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, Corporation bank, Federal Bank Ltd, IDBI Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, Jammu & Kashmir Bank, Punjab & Sind Bank, Punjab National Bank, State Bank of Mysore, UCO Bank, United Bank of India and JM Financial Asset Reconstruction Co. Pvt Ltd to enforce the Indian judgement against Mallya’s assets in England and Wales.
The order grants permission to the UK High Court Enforcement Officer to enter Mallya’s properties in UK.
According to the order by Justice Byran, dated June 26, “The High Court Enforcement Officer, including any enforcement agents acting under his authority, may enter Ladywalk, Queen Hoo Lane, Tewin, Welwyn and Bramble Lodge, Queen Hoo Lane, Tewin, Welwyn, including all outbuildings of Ladywalk and Bramble Lodge to search for and take control of goods belonging to the First Defendant (Mallya).”
“The High Court Enforcement Officer, including any Enforcement Agent acting under his authority, may use reasonable force to enter the Property if necessary,” it states.
Mallya has made an application in the Court of Appeal seeking permission to appeal against the order, which remains pending.
Mallya is also fighting a separate case on his extradition to India on fraud and money laundering charges worth an estimated Rs 9,000 crores, the case will come up at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London on July 31.
