Mallya didn't flee from India, has faith in judiciary

The Member of Parliament Vijay Mallya on Friday said that he did not abscond from India and has full faith in the country's judicial system.

Mallya in a series of tweets said: "I am an international businessman. I travel to and from India frequently. I did not flee from India and neither am I an absconder. Rubbish."

Rubbishing the media reports that the United Breweries group chairman had fled from the country and was staying in London, Mallya said that he has full faith in Indian judicial system and and as a parliament member he "respects and will comply with the law of the land."

The beleaguered liquor baron Vijay Mallya also said that he does not want a trial by the media, adding: "Once a media witch hunt starts it escalates into a raging fire where truth and facts are burnt to ashes."

"News reports that I must declare my assets. Does that mean the banks did not know my assets or look at my parliamentary disclosures?," Mallya asked in a series of tweets.

The consortium of 17 banks led by the State Bank of India had sought supreme court orders restraining Mallya from leaving the country, his arrest and impounding of his passport.

Earlier on Wednesday, the court was told that Mallya had already left India on March 2.

Issuing notice, the Supreme Court gave Mallya two weeks to respond as it directed the next hearing of the matter on March 30.