The High Court of Karnataka on Friday directed the counsel of liquor baron Vijay Mallya to file a report or a notice about their client being produced before any court in India in any matter.
A division bench comprising Justice Jayant Patel and Justice S Sujatha was hearing a contempt petition filed by a consortium of banks accusing Mallya of violating the undertaking given by him at the Debts Recovery Tribunal (DRT).
The bench had ordered issuance of a bailable warrant in the previous hearing but it was reported that Mallya is in the UK. The counsel appearing for the consortium of banks informed the bench about the Supreme Court already initiating contempt proceedings in another matter against Mallya and the Supreme Court directed listing the matter only after Mallya is produced before the court.
Further, the court was informed that the Centre has taken steps to secure Mallya’s presence, but he is yet to be produced. According to the status report, extradition proceedings are on and all steps are being taken by the Centre. The consortium of banks have filed a contempt petition against Mallya accusing him of violating the undertaking given by him and his companies stating that they would not transfer their equity shares of United Breweries Holdings Ltd (UBHL) to Diageo Plc.
However, Mallya and his son pledged their shares to Standard Chartered Bank violating the undertaking given to DRT. The tribunal had passed an order restraining Standard Chartered Bank, where the shares were pledged to be handed over to Diageo Plc.