Changed Mallya LOC as no sufficient evidence for arrest: CBI
New Delhi, Sep 18 : The first lookout circular (LOC) against fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya for his detention at airports was changed as there was "no sufficient ground" for his arrest, a CBI source said on Tuesday.
"As he was a sitting member of Parliament and there was no warrant to arrest him, the agency realised the need for making correction in the LOC from 'detention' to 'information' to the CBI whenever he travelled abroad," the source said.
Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officials later wrote to the Immigration Department to seek modification in the LOC as "Mallya was cooperating" in the probe and the agency was still collecting evidence from banks, the source added.
The first LOC against the head of the now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines was issued on October 16, 2015. The second LOC was issued on November 24, 2015, the day Mallya returned from the United Kingdom.
The source said that Mallya even after the issuance of the notice continued to provide documents and answer questions from the agency.
Mallya appeared thrice for questioning and made foreign trips four times after the new LOC was issued, he said.
Mallya left India on March 2, 2016, and faces charges of defrauding banks to the tune of Rs 9,000 crore.
He is currently in London where a court finished hearing on India's extradition case against him on Wednesday and is due to pronounce its verdict on December 10.
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India describes attack on Fujairah 'unacceptable'
New Delhi (PTI): India on Tuesday described the wounding of three Indians in an attack on the United Arab Emirates' port city of Fujairah as "unacceptable" and pressed for an immediate cessation of hostilities targeting innocent civilians.
New Delhi's reaction came a day after the Indians were injured after a drone attack caused a fire at a major oil industry zone in Fujairah. The UAE had accused Iran of carrying out the strike.
"The attack on Fujairah that resulted in injury to three Indian nationals is unacceptable," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.
"We call for immediate cessation of these hostilities and the targeting of civilian infrastructure and innocent civilians," the spokesperson said.
Jaiswal said India continued to stand for dialogue and diplomacy to deal with the situation so that peace and stability could be restored across West Asia.
"We also call for free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through the Strait of Hormuz in keeping with international law. India stands ready to support all efforts for a peaceful resolution of issues," he said.
The attack on Fujairah city came as the ceasefire between the US and Iran came under strain in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of the world's oil and gas pass, remains a major sticking point in the talks. Shipping through the narrow Gulf waterway has been severely disrupted by the conflict, triggering a sharp increase in oil prices and energy shortages in several countries.
The UAE's defence ministry on Monday said its air defence systems engaged 12 ballistic missiles, three cruise missiles and four drones launched from Iran.
The ministry affirmed that it "remains fully prepared and ready to deal with any threats and will firmly confront anything that aims to undermine the security of the country."
