Vijay Mallya gets 4 months in jail in 2017 contempt case

Fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya was sentenced to four months in jail on Monday for withholding information from the Supreme Court. The court, which was hearing the 2017 contempt case on Monday, also imposed a Rs 2,000 fine on Mallya. It said the failure to pay the fine within four weeks will result in an extension of the jail term by two months.

In May 2017, the Supreme Court held Mallya guilty of contempt for transferring $40 million (one million = ten lakh) to family members. He was accused of not disclosing the assets and also transferring them to his children in violation of the restraint orders. He was sued for contempt for failing to disclose a $40 million payment from British spirit maker Diageo, News 18 reported.

Slamming Mallya for "not showing any remorse" for contempt of court, the Supreme Court directed the businessman and his family to return $40 million with interest at 8 percent. In case the amounts are not so deposited, the recovery officer concerned shall be entitled to take appropriate proceedings for recovery of the said amount and the government of India and all agencies concerned shall extend assistance and complete cooperation, it said.