Delhi court issues non-bailable warrant against Vijay Mallya

A fresh non-bailable warrant was issued against Vijay Mallya by a trial court in Delhi on Friday for evading summons for a Foreign Exchange Regulation Act (FERA) case. 

The court was hearing a plea by enforcement directorate (ED) against Mallya for allegedly violating the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act. The ED said Mallya's Formula 1 team had made some transactions with British company Benetton Formula Ltd. that were in violation of FERA.

Chief metropolitan magistrate Sumit Dass observed that Mallya was misguiding the court and stalling proceedings. He has shown complete disregard to Indian laws, saying he cannot travel to India as his passport was revoked. But temporary documents for travelling can be made available, the court said. The ED lawyer, NK Matta, also said that Mallya can be given travel documents under the provisions of law.

Matta also appealed against exempting him from making a personal appearance. 

This is a second blow to Mallya within less than a week as the apex court had told him on October 25 to adduce details of his assets. He had reportedly received $40 million from British firm Diageo in February as severance pay. He was told to reveal his assets abroad in four weeks. 

Mallya's Kingfisher Airlines owes more than Rs 9,000 crore to as many as 17 banks, including the SBI, IDBI Bank, PNB, Corporation Bank, Indian Overseas Bank , Punjab and Sind Bank, Axis Bank.

The airlines also owes Rs 7.5 crore to the Indira Gandhi International Airport for services availed by it. He is also involved in a cheque bounce case after three cheques by Kingfisher were not honoured.