Rs 22,280 crore recovered from industrialists who fled India after committing fraud

No one will be spared – Union FM Nirmala Sitharaman

New Delhi – Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman informed the Lok Sabha on Tuesday that Rs 14,131.6 crore has been recovered by public sector banks (PSBs) from the sale of assets belonging to fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya. This is part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to address financial crimes and restore funds to affected entities.

Mallya, a fugitive businessman and former MP, fled India in 2016 amid allegations of financial irregularities related to Kingfisher Airlines. The Indian Government has been seeking his extradition from the United Kingdom to face trial. His assets, seized under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), have been liquidated to recover dues owed to banks and other creditors.

ED has restored properties worth ₹22,280 crore to banks and rightful claimants! – Nirmala Sitharaman, Finance Minister in Lok Sabha

Here are the highlights:

– Vijay Mallya Case: ₹14,131.6 crore worth properties restored to public sector banks 🏦

– Nirav Modi Case:… pic.twitter.com/gdDDK4xZWd

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) December 18, 2024

Sitharaman highlighted the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) success in recovering assets from several high-profile economic offenders :

Vijay Mallya : Rs 14,131.6 crore returned to PSBs.
Nirav Modi : Properties worth Rs 1,052.58 crore restored to banks.
Mehul Choksi : Properties worth Rs 2,565.90 crore attached for auction.
National Spot Exchange Ltd (NSEL) : Rs 17.47 crore restored to genuine investors.

In total, the ED has restored assets worth Rs 22,280 crore to victims or rightful claimants from cases involving economic offences.

Addressing the Lower House, Sitharaman reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to pursuing economic offenders, even those who have fled the country.

“We have gone after them. The ED has collected this money and given it back to the banks,” she said.