SC Seeks Mallya’s Response On “Transfer” Of USD 40 Million

The Supreme Court today asked liquor baron Vijay Mallya to file within three weeks his response to an allegation raised by a consortium of banks led by State Bank of India that he had transferred USD 40 million to his children in brazen violation of judicial orders.

A bench headed by Justice Kurian Joseph sought the affidavit from Mallya by February 2.

Senior Advocate Shyam Divan, appearing for the banks, alleged that orders of Debt Recovery Tribunal and Karnataka High Court have been violated by Mallya by transferring 40 million USD to his children.

“It is a matter of record that Mallya and his firm owe over Rs 6,200 core to the banks and the money should have been deposited here”, he said.

Senior advocate C S Vaidyanathan, appearing for Mallya, sought time to respond to the banks' plea, which was granted

On October 25 Mallya was pulled up by the apex court for not making full disclosure of his foreign assets

A bench of justice Kurien Joseph and Justice Rohinton F Nariman directed Mallya to give “all details of assets”

“We are prima facie of view that Respondent no. 1 (Mallya) has not made proper disclosure of assets as per our order, his response is vague”, said the bench

The bench was specifically angry that Mallya had not disclosed what he did with 40 million US dollar received from Diageo. This aspect came up for discussion after Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi who represents the consortium of 17 banks led by State Bank of India told the court that Mallya has “stashed away money in Swiss bank”

“We dont find answer from your reply on 40 million dollar. We are not happy with the way you filed the statement”, the bench told Mallya’s lawyer

On September 27, the court had directed the consortium of 17 banks led by the State Bank of India which have initiated loan recovery proceedings against Mallya, to respond to his plea seeking the recall of the notice of contempt for allegedly not making full disclosure of all the assets owned by him and his family as directed by the top court earlier.

Arguing for Mallya, advocate Mahesh Agarwal had said the liquor baron has contended that the disclosure of the assets was for the settlement of outstanding dues with the banks, and since no settlement was taking place he was not obliged to make disclosure and consequently there was no contempt. But the court has now disagreed with the argument.

The court upheld Rohatgi’s argument that Mallya’s plea could not be entertained as he has failed to make a personal appearance before the court in pursuance to the contempt notice.

It was on July 29 that the Supreme Court issued notice to Mallya on a petition filed by the banks consortium seeking initiation of contempt of court proceedings against him for non-disclosure of his assets despite a specific order from the bench three months ago.

This article has been made possible because of financial support from Independent and Public-Spirited Media Foundation.