Detention order against Vijay Mallya an error: CBI

Facing heat over the goof-ups in issuing repeated “lookout” notices against liquor baron Vijay Mallya, despite which he was allowed to leave the country, a red-faced CBI on Friday maintained that the first notice seeking his detention was issued by “mistake”.

“The detention order issued against Mr Mallya by the CBI was an error by a lower-level officer,” clarified the CBI. The agency also informed that Mr Mallya had joined questioning on December 9-10, 2015 in New Delhi and on December 12 in Mumbai. Sources said that the agency headquarters has called for records from its Mumbai office pertaining to the IDBI bank case, including the change in the nature of look out notice against the liquor baron in October 2015 for preventing his travel abroad.

“Last year, the CBI issued a notice to airports asking for Mr Mallya to be detained if he tried to board an international flight. A month later, the notice was downgraded with the CBI asking to be alerted if Mr Mallya travels abroad,” sources said. Talking to reporters here, CBI spokesperson Devpreet Singh said, “The detention notice was issued by mistake. A junior staff made an error which was reversed after immigration officials sought clarification. It was inadvertent error.”

Sources further clarified legally Mr Mallya could not be stopped because none of the cases against him had advanced to a stage where the evidence against him was detailed in a chargesheet. They also said that Mr Mallya provided no cause for concern because he showed up as requested for interrogation. Mr Mallya tweeted on Friday morning that he has not fled India and will obey all laws. He did not disclose his location.