2 airbus choppers of Vijay Mallya auctioned for over 8.7 crore

The lenders of Vijay Mallya had put two Airbus helicopters on the block in order to recover the outstanding dues.

The Debt Tribunal conducted the e-auction on behalf of a consortium of around 17 banks. (Image: PTI)

  In a major setback for fugitive liquor baron Vijay Mallya two helicopters of his defunct Kingfisher Airlines were auctioned on Wednesday costing over Rs 8.7 crore, news agency PTI quoted an official as saying. The lenders of Mallya had put two Airbus helicopters on the block in order to recover the outstanding dues from Mallya who owns the defunct Kingfisher Airlines. As per the sale proclamation document issued by the Debts Recovery Tribunal, total reserve price for the two choppers was set at Rs 3.5 crore. The auction took place online in Bengaluru and New Delhi-based Choudhary Aviation Facilities has claimed that it won the bid by quoting a total sum of Rs 8.7 crore for the two choppers. Speaking to IANS, Satyendra Sehrawat Director Choudhary Aviation said, “Our company bought the two personal copters of Mallya for Rs 87.5 million at the price of Rs 43.7 million each in the electronic bidding conducted by the DRT in Bengaluru.” The Debt Tribunal conducted the e-auction on behalf of a consortium of around 17 banks which filed the case against Vijay Mallya and his airlines for defaulting on loans borrowed from 2007 to 2012. Sehrawat also informed that the two 5-seater Airbus Eurocopter B155 choppers are 10 year old but are in serviceable condition. The helicopters are quipped with good engine and are currently parked at Juhi airport in Mumbai. “We want to make use of the choppers for commercial activity, including chartered service,” Sehrawat added. Reportedly three firm participated in the online auction which was held with minimum price bid of 17.5 million per chopper which was last flown in 2013. The debt-laden Kingfisher Airlines went bankrupt in October 2012 and currently its owner Mallya is wanted by the Indian authorities in over Rs 9,000 loan default case.