Mallya has scant regard for law, doesn''t intend to return to India, says Delhi court

New Delhi, November 4

A Delhi court issued a fresh non-bailable warrant (NBW), the second one today, against Vijay Mallya, chairman of the grounded Kingfisher Airlines, in a 2012 cheque bounce case following his non-appearance.

The court said Mallya had scant regard for the law of the land and had no intention to return to India.

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Metropolitan Magistrate Sumeet Anand passed the order with the direction that NBW be executed through Ministry of External Affairs as the liquor baron is reportedly in London.

The court then listed the matter for further hearing on February 4 next year.

The court, on August 6, had also issued an NBW against Mallya saying that coercive steps were required to ensure his appearance.

The court had earlier noted that despite repeated orders, Mallya did not appear in the court and it was inevitable for the state machinery to intervene and ensure his presence.

The trial court had summoned Mallya as accused following a complaint by Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), which operates the capital’s IGI Airport, claiming that a cheque for Rs one crore issued by Kingfisher Airlines (KFA) on February 22, 2012, was returned to them a month later containing the remarks - “fund insufficient”.

DIAL had filed four cases in June 2012 against Mallya over KFA’s cheques totalling Rs 7.5 crore not being honoured.

The grounded airline had issued the cheques towards payment for services availed by them at the IGI airport here.

Mallya is facing action after defaulting on over Rs 9,000-crore loan from 17 banks.

In July this year, he had skipped appearance before a PMLA court in Mumbai in connection with a money laundering probe against him in alleged bank loan fraud case.

Mallya had left the country in March and is currently said to be in the UK. Several cheque bounce cases have been filed against him. — PTI