Court orders Mallya's arrest as pressure builds on loans

Mumbai

A SPECIAL court in Mumbai ordered the arrest of Vijay Mallya, the tycoon at the centre of India's battle to recover soured debt, adding to the pressure on him to repay dues after the government last week suspended his passport in a bid to force his return from abroad.

The court issued a non-bailable arrest warrant against him on Monday, said Karnal Singh, director of India's Enforcement Directorate, a specialised financial investigation agency focused on foreign exchange and anti-money laundering laws. The move followed an application by Mr Singh's office.