In more trouble for the promoter of defunct Kingfisher Airlines, Vijay Mallya, a metropolitan court in suburban Andheri in Mumbai on Saturday issued a non bailable warrant against him in a case of cheque bouncing filed by the Airports Authority of India (AAI).
On May 7, Magistrate AA Laulkar had directed Mallya to appear before the court today failing which, he said, it would issue a NBW.
The NBW was issued following Mallya’s non appearance today.
The court was hearing applications filed by AAI against M/s. Kingfisher Airlines in connection with two cheques of Rs 100 crores which were dishonoured.
The two applications filed by AAI sought cancellation of permanent exemption from court appearance granted to Mallya, who has since left the country amid an outcry over his airline defaulting on repayment of over Rs 9,000 crore to the banks, and sought an arrest warrant against him.
Earlier, AAI’s lawyer had argued in the court that in view of cancellation of Mallya’s passport, his lawyer may not be able to produce him in the court if the court orders so.
Mallya is currently believed to be living in the UK, where he moved after reaching a settlement with Diageo Plc. As part of the deal, Mallya agreed to step down as chairman of United Spirits in return for a payment of $75 million over five years. Diageo is reported to have already paid at least half of that amount to Mallya.
The former liquor baron is also being investigated by other government agencies, including the Enforcement Directorate, for alleged foreign exchange violations.
