The United Kingdom’s Court of Appeal on Wednesday denied fugitive Indian businessman Vijay Mallya permission to appeal against a High Court of Justice order that allowed 13 Indian banks to recover over Rs 10,000 crore from him.
In the May 8 ruling, the court had refused to overturn a worldwide order freezing Mallya’s assets and denied him permission to appeal. This left him with the only option of approaching the Court of Appeal. Mallya is accused of wilfully defaulting on about $1.4 billion (Rs 9,380 crore) in debt for his now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines.
“The English judicial system does not give parties an unfettered right to appeal. The right to appeal is restricted,” Kartik Mittal, senior solicitor at London-based Zaiwalla & Co LLP, told PTI. “A party can only appeal a decision of the first instance court if the first instance court or the Appellate Court gives the party permission to appeal.”
The 62-year-old businessman is fighting several lawsuits in the UK and India related to fraud and money laundering allegations. He is also fighting the Central Bureau of Investigation’s attempts to extradite him from the UK.
Last month, the United Kingdom commercial court allowed the Indian banks to undertake searches and seizure of goods at Mallya’s houses in London.
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!