UK’s Diageo-owned USL snubs BSE too on Mallya report

Engaged in a boardroom battle with its Chairman Vijay Mallya, United Spirits has refused to share with the BSE its inquiry report on alleged fund diversion to UB Group firms, after rejecting a similar demand from another stock exchange NSE to make the report public.

In a reply identical to the one sent to the NSE on Wednesday, Diageo-owned United Spirits Ltd (USL) has now told the BSE that it is "not in a position to make the internal report available to the BSE for onwards public dissemination" for various reasons including its confidentiality. The BSE had sought clarification from USL with respect to its disclosure dated April 25 about the company having "lost confidence" in Mallya and he being asked to quit as Chairman and Director in the wake of alleged fund transfer to certain companies of his UB Group, including Kingfisher Airlines. Mallya outright rejected the demand and denied all the allegations, while adding that only shareholders have the right to seek his removal and the majority owner Diageo had "certain contractual obligations" to support his position. The matter is already being looked into by several agencies, including markets watchdog Sebi and the stock exchanges, which act as front-end regulators.