India's Mallya resigns from parliament's upper house: TV reports

NEW DELHI - Embattled Indian liquor tycoon Vijay Mallya has resigned as a member of the country's upper house of Parliament, several television news channels reported on Monday.

Mallya, 60, flew first class from Delhi to London on March 2 at a time when the Indian government and mainly state-controlled banks are trying to recover US$1.4 billion (S$1.88 billion) owed by his collapsed Kingfisher Airlines Ltd.

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.

India has already revoked the diplomatic passport that Mallya carried as a member of the upper house.