New Delhi: Interpol has said Enforcement Directorate’s request to issue a red corner notice (RCN) against businessman Vijay Mallya is under review.

In response to TOI’s query on the RCN request against Mallya, made last week through the National Central Bureau (NCB) Delhi, which is managed by CBI, and whether any representation was received from the former UB group chairman, Interpol’s General Secretariat in Lyon said, “In line with our standard operating procedure, it is currently under review. This review process is conducted with total impartiality and neutrality.”

The international agency, which has 190 members, didn’t give a timeline as to when it is likely to publish the RCN against Mallya. “A decision on whether or not a red notice is to be published will be made once the review is complete. Until such time, Interpol will not comment further on this matter,” the email reply said. Investigators are worried that the RCN request against Mallya could go the Lalit Modi way. India had sought a RCN against the former IPL czar but it was never issued.

“The case details and charges against a wanted person on the basis of evidence are sent in a request to Interpol. It is usually Interpol’s prerogative after analysing the request. We haven’t heard from Interpol yet,” said an officer.

The ED had moved Interpol on May 12 for a RCN against Mallya after the UK refused to deport him. Once a red notice is issued, Mallya won’t be able to travel anywhere beyond the UK and enforcement agencies in Britain would be liable to arrest him and hand him over to India through a proper extradition process. The ED is already taking legal opinion on extraditing Mallya, as first reported by TOI on Wednesday.

The businessman fled to London on March 2 on his diplomatic passport without appearing before the investigation agencies. He is reportedly living in his three-storey mansion called Ladywalk in the village of Tewin in Hertfordshire, just over an hour’s drive north of London. Source: TOI