SC issues notice to Mallya, seeks disclosure of assets, seizure of passport

New Delhi: The Supreme court on Wednesday issued a notice to liquor baron Vijay Mallya on petition of consortium of banks seeking disclosure of his assets and seizure of passport. Mallya has been given two weeks to respond and the  next hearing is on March 30.

Mallya has defaulted more than Rs 9000 crore of loan, though he has properties across the globe whose value is far more than their due, the Attorney-General informed the apex court.

Earlier, a plea was filed in the Supreme Court by public sector banks seeking a direction that liquor baron Vijay Mallya be restrained from leaving India. These banks had advanced loans of over Rs 9,000 crore to his firm.

The consortium of banks, in their appeal, assailed the March 4 order of the Karnataka High Court refusing an ex-parte ad interim order against Mallya, England-based Diageo Plc and United Spirits Limited.

The banks said that the High Court should have passed an interim order, securing their financial interests. Prior to moving the High Court, the banks had filed four pleas in the Debt Recovery Tribunal (DRT) at Bengaluru seeking reliefs like freezing of Mallya's passport and arrest warrant against him.

They had also sought a direction to Mallya that he should disclose his assets on oath. The DRT, on March 2, heard arguments only on one plea and did not consider other three pleas which were related to freezing of the passport and restraining Mallya from leaving country.

The AG informed the court that Mallya already left India on 2nd March.