Hyderabad court verdict in Mallya's cheque bounce case on May 9

Hyderabad, May 5  A city court on Thursday adjourned till May 9 the pronouncement of quantum of punishment for Vijay Mallya, the chairman of the now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines, in a cheque bounce case.

The case was adjourned as Mallya did not appear before the court despite summons. 

On April 21, the court of 14th Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate convicted the liquor baron and an airline official under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act.

The case relates to bouncing of two cheques of Rs.50 lakh each issued by Mallya to GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd. 

Police submitted a report in the court that the non-bailable warrant issued against Mallya could not be executed as he had gone abroad.

GMR's lawyer Ashok Reddy told reporters that he urged the court to pronounce the punishment as they had no hope of Mallya attending the court. The magistrate, however, decided to give some more time.

The court had issued the NBW against the industrialist in March on a petition filed by GMR seeking his prosecution for defaulting on payments and cheating the company by issuing cheques that bounced.

The lawyer said Kingfisher had a total liability of Rs.12 crore towards the GMR as user charges for the airport.

The maximum punishment under the Negotiable Instruments Act is two years.

Mallya is currently in Britain and is accused of defaulting on payment of bank loans totalling Rs.9,000 crore.

The Centre revoked Mallya's diplomatic passport and told the Supreme Court last week that it will soon initiate court proceedings and approach the British government to get him extradited.

The Enforcement Directorate last month obtained a NBW against him from a Mumbai court in a money-laundering case.

The Rajya Sabha, of which he was a member, accepted Mallya's resignation on Wednesday.