Vijay Mallya, facing money laundering charges, resigns from Rajya Sabha

Embattled liquor tycoon Vijay Mallya has resigned as a member of the Rajya Sabha, several television news channels reported on Monday.

Mallya, 60, flew first class from Delhi to London on March 2 at a time when the government and mainly state-controlled banks are trying to recover $1.4 billion owed by his collapsed Kingfisher Airlines.

The government wrote to its British counterpart on Thursday seeking the deportation of the Formula 1 motor racing boss, who is the target of a non-bailable warrant in a money laundering investigation.

The government has already revoked the diplomatic passport that Mallya carried as a member of the Rajya Sabha.