Court order against Mallya in cheque bounce case on May 9

A local court on Thursday said it will pronounce on May 9 its order on the quantum of sentence for beleaguered industrialist Vijay Mallya, who was convicted in two cheque bounce cases filed against him by GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd.

On April 20, the III Special Magistrate Court here had convicted Mallya and others, in connection with bouncing of two cheques of Rs 50 lakh each under sections of the Negotiable Instruments Act and had adjourned for the matter for Thursday to pronounce the quantum of punishment, as Mallya, who 

left the country, was not present in the court.

The matter relates to cheques issued by Kingfisher Airlines Ltd to GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd (GHIAL), which operates the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport here, towards charges for using facilities at the airport for its Kingfisher Airlines flights.

During hearing on quantum of sentence, GMR lawyer G Ashok Reddy insisted that the court had the power to impose sentence even in the absence of accused. “It is a known fact that he (Mallya) has fled the country and his passport has been revoked and he has also resigned from the Rajya Sabha. He has never marked his presence before the court which shows the conduct of the accused,” Reddy submitted.