HC refuses to quash TDS cases against Mallya

The High Court on Saturday refused to quash criminal cases filed against liquor baron Vijay Mallya by the Income Tax department for non-remittance of tax deducted at source (TDS), of its employees, by Kingfisher Airlines Limited (KFA). Justice Nagamohan Das dismissed the petition filed by him, seeking that the criminal case be quashed.

A special economic offences court in the City had initiated criminal proceedings against Mallya in 2013, based on the I-T department’s three separate complaints. With the dismissal of the petition, the stay granted on the proceedings has been vacated and the court can continue proceedings against Mallya. KFA owes over Rs 350 crore to the I-T department on account of alleged TDS defaults committed many years ago and has been held as an assessee in default from the original date of its failure to remit tax.