SC refrains from pronouncing sentence against Mallya

 The Supreme Court on Friday refrained from passing sentence against industrialist Vijay Mallya in the contempt case as the Union government could not produce him, citing extradition proceedings in the United Kingdom.

 A bench of Justices Adarsh Kumar Goel and U U Lalit said, “as and when he is produced, we would sentence him.” The court noted that Mallya had failed to turn up before it.

 Attorney General K K Venugopal submitted that the Union government has taken steps to ensure his presence. “Extradition proceedings are on in London and are likely to be over by December,” he said.

 The court deferred the matter indefinitely saying, “the matter to be put up as and when contemnor (Mallya) is produced.”

 The court had earlier fixed Friday as the date for pronouncement of quantum of sentence against Mallya. On July 10, the last of hearing, the Union government had avoided the hearing as no counsel was present.

 On May 9, the bench had held Mallya guilty of contempt of court. It had directed personal appearance of Mallya, who has been hiding in the United Kingdom. Mallya is accused by the banks of defaulting on repayment of Rs 9400 crore loan to Kingfisher Airlines.

 The court found him guilty for not fully disclosing assets as per direction of April 26, last. The banks claimed he transferred 40 million USD to his children's accounts and violated the injunction issued by the Karnataka HC's order of November 13, 2013 against transferring his properties and money.