Vijay Mallya to challenge defaulter tag

Bangalore: As lenders mount pressure on him for repayment of debts, liquor baron Vijay Mallya on Thursday said he will challenge the bank’s decision to declare him and his now shut Kingfisher Airlines a ‘willful defaulter’, saying he was never heard before pronouncement of the decision.

United Bank of India on Monday declared Mallya and three directors of Kingfisher Airlines willful defaulters, a tag that would restrict them from seeking future loans and also force him to step down from directorships.

“We were not given hearing, we have not appeared before them, we disagree with their action, and we shall pursue with legal remedies,” the 58-year-old KFA Chairman said.

Kingfisher Airline did not make any profit during the eight years from launch to the grounding of its fleet in October 2012.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of 15th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of United Breweries Ltd, Mallya said, “We shall pursue all available legal remedies. I have great faith in judicial system in our country and I shall certainly pursue the legal remedies that are available to me.”

Mallya is the chairman of United Breweries, the producer of India’s best-selling beer brand Kingfisher. He is also the chairman of United Spirits, now controlled by Diageo Plc.

“In response to the United Bank of India action, I have already issued a media statement which basically says that we strongly deny the allegations made, that we disagree with the findings of their Grievance Redressal Committee before which we have had no opportunity to appear,” he said.

Besides UBI, Kingfisher owes about Rs 9,140 crore to about a dozen banks. Of them, IDBI Bank is considering declaring Mallya a willful defaulter and is serving out its 15-day notice period on non-payment of dues.

Kingfisher owes Rs 750 crore to IDBI Bank and Rs 450 crore to United Bank.

Asked about reports of action by other banks, Mallya said, “Frankly, whatever the news reports may be subsequently concerning other banks, there is no point in indulging in speculation. We will take each one as it comes.”