Defiant Mallya says arresting him or revoking passport won't help recover money

Industrialist tells Financial Times in an interview that he has been living in forced exile

After the Indian government revoked his passport, industrialist Vijay Mallya, in an interview to Financial Times, said that he was living in a forced exile.  

The industrialist said that he was keen to return to India, but it is important to understand the environment in the country right now. “By taking my passport or arresting me, they will not get any money,” he told the publication. 

Speaking on the settlement offer, which was rejected by banks recently, Mallya said, “I am willing to settle, but it has to be at a reasonable number that we can afford. I wish to settle at a number that even the banks can justify”

The Kingfisher Airlines’ chairman also lashed out at the charges of diversion of funds that were meant for the airline. “I am not guilty of the preposterous charges of diverting funds,” he told the Financial Times. 

Mallya also termed the tag of being a ‘wilful defaulter’ as something he could not understand. 

On the issue of being a flamboyant businessman, he said that it is a completely opposite case. "People think I am flamboyant, but I am actually quite simple," he said.

The Indian government on Thursday wrote to the British High Commission and sought his deportation to India on grounds of pending cases against him. The external affairs ministry stated that his return was needed so that "his presence can be secured for investigations against him" under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002.