New Delhi: Fugitive Vijay Mallya has been given one last chance to defend himself.
The Supreme Court on Thursday directed the disgraced business tycoon to present his stand — either personally or through a lawyer — within two weeks, ANI reported. If he fails to do so, Mallya will face contempt of court case.
Mallya, accused of a bank loan default to the tune of over Rs 9,000 crore, is presently in the UK.
A High Court in UK last year upheld a 2018 ruling to extradite Mallya to India to face fraud charges resulting from collapse of his now-defunct company Kingfisher Airlines. Mallya was subsequently denied permission to appeal to UK Supreme Court against the extradition order.
Supreme Court of India had held Mallya guilty of contempt of court for transferring $40 million to his children in violation of court’s order and sought his presence on several occasions.
On Thursday, a bench headed by Justice U Lalit adjourned the matter for February 24.
Also Read: Vijay Mallya Declared Bankrupt By London High Court
The top court accepted amicus curiae and senior advocate Jaideep Gupta’s contention that Mallya should be given a last opportunity to present his stand.
“In his (Gupta) submission matter may be adjourned for short time with an expression that this would be final opportunity and in case he chooses to not remain personally present or advance submissions through counsel, court may proceed further with the matter. Going by submissions… we adjourn for 2 weeks. Respondent contemnor is at liberty to act in directions of November 30, 2021 order failing which matter shall be taken to logical conclusion and proceeded further,” the bench stated in its order.
Though Mallya has exhausted all avenues of appeal in the UK, his extradition order has not been put into effect.
Also Read: India Gets ‘Best Assurance’ From UK On Vijay Mallya’s Extradition
