HC rejects industrialist’s appeal against six-months jail term

The convict, who is the chairman of Supermax Group, one of the leading razor blade manufacturers, did not appear before the court in any of the hearings of his appeal despite the court’s orders

The Bombay High Court on Monday rejected industrialist Rakesh Malhotra’s appeal against the court’s earlier ruling, which sentenced him to six months’ imprisonment, for contempt of court. The convict, who is the chairman of Supermax Group, one of the leading razor blade manufacturers, did not appear before the court in any of the hearings of his appeal despite the court’s orders.

The convict, who is the chairman of Supermax Group, one of the leading razor blade manufacturers, did not appear before the court in any of the hearings of his appeal despite the court’s orders.(File photo)

The HC’s division bench, comprising Justice Abhay Oka and Justice Amjad Sayed, dismissed his appeal after finding that he was attending parties and sports events in many countries but not appearing in court while giving excuses like eye ailment. When the division bench inquired about Rakesh’s whereabouts, his father Rajinder Kumar Malhotra’s counsel, senior advocate Aspi Chinoy, told the court that Rakesh was spotted in the USA, London, Mosco, United Arab Emirate and in Spain in restaurants, attending parties and watching sports events.

The appeal was filed against his conviction in the case of not complying with HC’s order to pay 12% interest on Rs. 67.50 crore to Vidyut Metallics Private Limited (VPML), a company controlled by his father Rajinder Kumar Malhotra, within three weeks of the judgement, which was pronounced on February 9, 2015. This case was between Rakesh and his family — Rajinder, his wife Veena, their other son Rajeev and his wife Kunika. One of the directors of his company, Abhishek Kumar was also convicted along with him by Justice KR Shriram. 

“The conduct of Rakesh Malhotra and Abhishek Kumar actually makes a mockery of the judicial process. It is specifically intended to impede and prejudice the administration of justice,” said Justice Shriram while convicting them.