A court here on Thursday sentenced A Raghunathan, former Chief Financial Officer of the Kingfisher Airlines, in a cheque bounce case filed by GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd against Kingfisher, its promoter Vijay Mallys and the CFO.

The Special Court Magistrate sentenced Raghunathan for 18 months imprisonment and a fine of ₹20,000 in each case.

The court had adjourned the case several times to announce the quantum of sentence, as the presence of the accused was necessary in the court.

The GMR Group-promoted Hyderabad airport had initiated a number of cases against Kingfisher Airlines, Mallya and its CFO after cheques issued by the airliner towards payment of dues were dishonoured.

Sentence for Mallya

While the court had passed orders of conviction in the case in April this year in cases relating to cheque bounce under the Negotiable Instruments Act, the quantum of punishment was not announced.

The counsel for GMR pleaded with the court that Mallya, who has been absconding, also needs to be sentenced in the case.

The court had to adjourn the case on a number occasions as the accused were absent during the proceedings. It had to issue non-bailable warrants to ensure their personal appearance in the court.

However, the counsel for Raghunathan mentioned that he had been travelling and representing in other cases and therefore could not be present in the court. The court was informed that he was an employee of United Spirits and retired in 2013.

Later, on a petition moved by the counsel of Raghunathan, his conviction was suspended till October 19, enabling him to appeal against the judgement.

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