Resignation rejected, panel to recommend Mallya's expulsion

The panel was unanimous in its decision that Mallya, accused of defaulting loans worth over ₹9,400 crore, should no longer remain a member of the Upper House and found his reply to its notice unsatisfactory, said sources.

The sources said the panel will submit its report before the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha Chairman has officially rejected Mallya's resignation on procedural grounds.  

Mallya's resignation letter was not according to the procedure as it does not bear an original signature, said Shumsher K Sheriff, Rajya Sabha Secretary General.

A motion has to be introduced and approved by the House for the formal termination of the membership of any MP. After the meeting, panel Chairman Karan Singh, however, declined to divulge details of the motion, stating it was inappropriate for the head of the committee to announce the decisions taken in the meeting.

Pressed further, Singh, however, said the decision that was taken in the meeting today was unanimous. When asked whether the panel has any room left now to take up the matter when Mallya has already resigned, Singh said, "Of course there is room. He is still a member of the House until it (the resignation) is accepted." He also said the committee will submit its recommendation to the Upper House tomorrow.

Mallya had yesterday faxed his resignation to Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari a day before the Ethics Committee had to decide on his expulsion. 

Ethics Committee only recommends. The report (of the panel) is property of the House, he said. 

The Ethics Panel of the Upper House, which had taken up the matter, had unanimously decided in its April 25 meeting that Mallya should no longer remain a member of the House and was planning to recommend his expulsion in today's meeting.

At the same time, the panel had decided to give Mallya one week time to explain his conduct. The panel was not satisfied with Mallya's explanations on his conduct.