SC wants presence of Mallya in contempt case; extradition proceedings in UK court likely to end by December 4

The Supreme Court on Friday said that it wanted the presence of liquor baron Vijay Mallya in the contempt case against him. The Attorney General KK Venugopal, appearing for Centre told SC, extradition proceedings being conducted in UK Court and would most likely end by December 4.

Mallya, who was held guilty of contempt, on Monday failed to make a personal appearance before the Supreme Court despite being directed to do so.

A bench comprising of Justices A K Goel and U U Lalit fixed the matter for hearing on July 14 and sought the assistance of the solicitor general in the case.

The apex court had on May 9 held Mallya, who is presently in the United Kingdom, guilty of contempt on a plea by the consortium of lender banks, led by the State Bank of India, for his failure to furnish details of all his Indian as well as offshore assets.

It had directed Mallya to appear before it on Friday to argue on the quantum of punishment.

The offence of contempt of court entails a maximum imprisonment of up to six months or a fine of upto Rs 2,000 or both.

India had recently asked Britain to ensure early extradition of Mallya, who is an accused in a bank loan default case of over Rs 9,000 crore involving his defunct Kingfisher Airlines.

The apex court's order had come on a plea by the consortium of banks, led by the State Bank of India (SBI), which had said that Mallya had allegedly transferred $40 million received from British firm Diageo to his children in "flagrant violation" of various judicial orders.

The banks had argued before the court that Mallya had wilfully disobeyed the orders and made "vague" disclosure about his assets.

With PTI inputs

Also read: Vijay Mallya appears before court in extradition case; next hearing on September 14

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