Diageo Asks Vijay Mallya To Return $40 Million, Seeks Compensation

• Diageo asks Vijay Mallya to return $40 million paid to him as part of the $75 million sweetheart deal to exit United Spirits.
  
• Diageo seeks compensation for the losses incurred by it.
  
• Diageo rules out future installments to Mallya, saying “it was not liable to pay such amount”.
  

British liquor giant Diageo on Thursday said it has asked beleaguered businessman Vijay Mallya to return $40 million paid to him as part of the $75 million (Rs 515 crore) sweetheart deal for his exit from United Spirits Ltd.

Diageo has stopped payment of $7 million a year to Mallya as part of the deal and sought compensation for the losses incurred by it.

The British firm had agreed to pay Mallya, who now lives in the U.K. after Indian banks approached courts to recover money lent to his now defunct airline, $75 million over five years as global non-compete and non-interference fee post his exit from United Spirits.

Citing violation of the agreement by Mallya, Diageo has also ruled out future installments to him, saying "it was not liable to pay such amount."

"Diageo and other group companies have demanded from Mallya the repayment of $40 million which was paid by Diageo on February 25, 2016, and also sought compensation from him for various losses incurred by the relevant members of the Diageo group on account of the breaches committed by him," Diageo said in its Preliminary Results for the year ended June 30, 2017.

Diageo has paid $40 million of the total $75 million on signing of the Agreement on February 25, 2016, while the balance $35 million was to be paid in equal installments of $7 million a year over five years.

This was subject to and conditional on Mallya's compliance, with certain terms of the agreement, it added.

Diageo's agreement with Mallya also provided for the five-year global non-compete, non-interference, non- solicitation and standstill commitments.

This also had clauses as Mallya's resignation from USL and the termination of his USL-related appointment and governance rights, the relinquishing of rights and benefits attached to his position at USL, and his agreement not to pursue claims against Diageo and USL.

Also Read: Diageo Holds $35 Million Payment To Vijay Mallya

In July 2016, United Spirits disclosed Rs 1,225.3 crore worth fund diversion and improper transactions with entities associated with Mallya, including Kingfisher Airlines and his Formula One team.

Making it clear that the settlement reached earlier with Mallya would cover the latest disclosures, USL – now controlled by Diageo – had said the former Chairman would be liable for claims over the amount.

Several banks have declared him wilful defaulter for failing to pay back loans amounting to thousands of crores. A consortium of 17 banks led by SBI has been trying to recover dues of over Rs 9,000 crore from the now defunct Kingfisher Airlines, which was promoted by Mallya.