Service tax dept to auction Mallya's jet

The Service Tax Department has decided to auction an “exotic and luxurious” aircraft used by beleaguered liquor baron Vijay Mallya to recover dues from the now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines.

The 25-seater Airbus (A319-133CJ VT-VJM MSN 2650), which bears Mallya’s initials, will go under the hammer in an e-auction on May 12 and 13. Prospective buyers can inspect the aircraft now stationed at the Mumbai airport between April 2 and May 10.

The Department through its selling agent MSTC Ltd, a mini-ratna company with expertise in auctions, has issued a public notice inviting online global bids.

“The aircraft is a corporate jet having a seating capacity for 25 passengers and six crew exclusively designed for exotic and luxurious use. The aircraft has attractive exterior and interior layout and design,” the notice stated.

Kingfisher Airlines could not be contacted for comments. In the aviation market, experts said the A319 corporate jets could cost $ 70-90 million, based on the customisation and interior design.

The Service Tax Department had impounded Mallya’s personal jet, five ATR planes and two helicopters in 2013.

Earlier this month, the Service Tax Department had approached the Bombay High Court seeking its intervention in two cases related to recovery of dues from Mallya and Kingfisher Airlines. The high court had deferred the case to March 28.