NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday made it clear that it would proceed against Mallya, who has been held guilty of contempt, only when he was produced before it.
The Centre assured the apex court that the extradition proceedings against liquor baron Vijay Mallya in UK was progressing and it would take all steps to ensure his presence before the court once he is back in India.
The next hearing at the UK court is scheduled for December 4.
Attorney General KK Venugopal informed the Bench of Justices AK Goel and UU Lalit that the government was doing its best to extradite Mallya so as to secure his presence before the court.
Referring to the status report filed by Ministry of Home Affairs elaborating the steps taken by it for the extradition proceedings, the Bench said, “We do not wish to oversee government’s work.”
“As and when you will produce him before us, we will go ahead and will see what is to be done,” the Bench told the Attorney General.
“The contemnor has failed to appear. The Government of India has taken steps to secure his presence. The extradition proceedings are going on. Let all steps be taken. Matter be put up before us on his (Mallya) production before this court,” the Bench noted in its order.
On May 9, the court had held Mallya guilty of contempt of court for concealing his assets and violating other court orders and slated quantum of punishment for July 10, and had directed the government to make sure that the owner of Kingfisher Airlines was present to hear his jail term.
The offence of contempt of court entails a maximum imprisonment of up to six months or a fine of upto Rs 2,000 or both.
The extradition proceedings are on in London presently and Mallya is out on bail till December 4.
Even the UK court had questioned the delay on part of India in bringing on record the evidence against Mallya. India had recently asked Britain to ensure early extradition of Mallya, who is an accused in a bank loan default case of over Rs 9,000 crore involving his defunct Kingfisher Airlines.
The apex court’s order had come on a plea by the consortium of banks, led by the State Bank of India (SBI).