Vijay Mallya cheque bounce cases posted to September 20

Hyderabad: A court here today posted to September 20 the two cheque bounce cases filed against businessman Vijay Mallya by GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd.

Third Special Court Magistrate M Krishna Rao had on April 20 convicted Mallya and others in connection with two cheque bounce cases involving Rs 50 lakh each, under relevant sections of the Negotiable Instruments Act.

The order on quantum of punishment was adjourned for the seventh time as warrant issued against A Raghunathan, a senior official of the company (Kingfisher), was still pending.

The matter relates to cheques issued by Kingfisher Airlines Ltd to GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd (GHIAL), which operates Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, towards charges for using the facilities at the airport for Kingfisher Airlines flights.

The court had earlier issued non-bailable warrants against Kingfisher Airlines, its chairman Mallya and A Raghunathan on the ground of dishonouring the two cheques.

The police in its report filed earlier before the court had said that the warrants were not executed against the company and Vijay Mallya.

The counsel of GHIAL today submitted before the court that the fresh addresses of the company and Vijay Mallya are not available. The counsel further informed the court that Raghunathan had appeared before different courts here and had got warrants recalled.

"A Raghunathan did not appear before this court and steps will be taken for execution of NBW against him," the counsel submitted, and sought short date to take steps and filing of fresh addresses of the company and Vijay Mallya for execution of the warrants.

The court then posted the matter to September 20.

The court had earlier said that before imposing the quantum of punishment, it would hear the plea of the convicts (Vijay Mallya and others, who have so far not appeared/ attended the court), and then pass its order with regard to sentencing them or imposing fine or both.

As per the GMR counsel, a total of 17 cases have been filed against Kingfisher Airlines in different courts over outstanding amount of Rs 22.5 crore, which it owes to GMR. The cases are in different stages of trial.

Mallya, who owes Rs 9,000 crore in loans to banks, is reportedly in London.