India, Sept. 11 -- The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has opposed fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya's plea before the Bombay High Court seeking closure of criminal proceedings against him.

Mallya claims the proceedings related to commercial disputes that had come to a close after his lender banks recovered all their dues - around Rs.15,000 crore against dues of Rs.6,200 crore plus interest.

However, the ED in its affidavit before the court pointed out that criminal proceedings under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) are distinct from proceedings for the recovery of civil dues. "The present proceedings arise from allegations of scheduled offences and the offence of money laundering under PMLA, which operate in a field distinct ...