I haven't fled India, dont need media trial, says Vijay Mallya

The liquor baron, in a series of tweets, justifies his decision to go abroad; says he will abide by the law

Industrialist Vijay Mallya today came out in defence of his decision to go abroad, stating that he had not fled from India. 

Rubbishing claims that he had absconded from India, Mallya said that as an international businessman, he travels a lot to and fro from India.

The liquor baron has been declared a wilful defaulter and has a huge debt of Rs 9,091 crore to the banks. A consortium of lenders, led by State Bank of India, had moved the apex court to prevent him from leaving the country and impounding his passport even as the loan recovery procedure for Kingfisher Airlines is still on.

The Supreme Court, on Wednesday, asked the industrialist to be present before it on March 30 along with his passport, after learning that he had left the country on March 2.

 

The parliamentarian said that he will comply with the law of the land.

In a series of tweets, Mallya also hit out at the 'media trial' he was going through. He hit out at editors and 'media bosses' to have taken favours and help.

He also lashed out at the reports that asked him to declare his assets. 

Troubles Mount

The Enforcement Directorate on Thursday issued notices to five serving and former executives of IDBI Bank along with a few executives of Kingfisher Airlines in connection with Rs 950-crore loan the bank had sanctioned in 2009. They have been asked to depose at the Mumbai office in two days.

The airline brand, Kingfisher Airlines, was also seized by SBICAP Trustee Company, acting on behalf of the consortium of lenders to the airline. In a notice issued on Thursday, SBICAP said it had seized all elements of the brand — flying models, Fly the Good Times word mark, fun-liner and flying bird device, effective from Tuesday.