New Delhi: UB Group chairman Vijay Mallya informed a Delhi court on Friday that he intends to return to India but authorities have suspended his passport.

Mallya made the submission through his counsel before Chief Metropolitan Magistrate in a case lodged for allegedly evading summons in connection with a FERA violation matter. The court had cancelled the exemption from personal appearance granted to him and had directed him to personally appear.

Through senior advocate Ramesh Gupta, Mallya requested the court that some time is given so that his appearance can be secured. The counsel submitted the copy of an email sent by Mallya, stating that his passport was suspended on April 23, 2016 without giving him any opportunity of being heard.

Enforcement Directorate (ED), however, told the court that Mallya is already evading proceedings in several other cases and sought time to reply to the plea moved by him today.

Mallya allegedly made payments of over $2 million to a British firm for displaying the Kingfisher logo in Formula One World Championships. This case will be heard next on 4 November.

The liquor baron’s new stance comes a day after a consortium of banks has asked the Supreme Court to issue an arrest warrant against him. There are several cases by the ED and dishonour of cheque cases are also pending across the country against Mallya.