A metropolitan court in Andheri, Mumbai, on Saturday issued a non-bailable warrant against former liquor baron Vijay Mallya in cheque-bouncing case filed by the Airports Authority of India. The warrant was issued after Mallya failed to appear before Magistrate AA Laulkar, PTI reported.
The court was hearing petitions filed by AAI against Mallya's now defunct Kingfisher Airlines in connection with two cheques worth Rs 100 crore that were dishonoured. AAI had sought a cancellation of the permanent exemption from court appearance that Mallya was granted. The beleaguered businessman, who has been in the United Kingdom since March, is accused of defaulting in a number of cases and owes around Rs 9,000 crore to 17 Indian banks.
On May 7, Magistrate Laulkar had asked Mallya to appear before the court on July 16. However, AAI's lawyer had said Mallya's lawyer may not be able to produce him in the court as his passport stands cancelled.
On Thursday, a State Bank of India-led banking consortium moved the Supreme Court against Mallya, alleging that he has not complied with the apex court's order to fully disclose all his foreign assets.
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