Mallya's group denies he diverted loan money to buy property abroad

Embattled liquor baron Vijay Mallya’s UB Group on Sunday “strenuously denied” the allegation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) that he siphoned off nearly Rs 430 crore from the loan extended to Kingfisher Airlines by the IDBI bank for acquiring property abroad.

Rejecting the charge that he diverted Rs 430 crore for purchase of an overseas property from the Rs 950 crore IDBI loan to his now defunct Kingfisher Airlines, the group said he would provide full details of foreign exchange remittances in the next few days.

“In order to explain foreign exchange remittances all of which have been fully accounted for, we will provide full details in the next few days,” UB Group said in a statement.

It said the audited accounts of the airlines show that the money was borrowed for legitimate business purpose and that the allegation was “shocking”.

“The allegation made by ED before the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA)  court that they have stumbled upon evidence that Rs 430 crores was transferred overseas for property acquisition is strenuously denied,” it said. The statement said, “The audited accounts of Kingfisher Airlines including for the year ended 31.3.2010 show all foreign exchange transactions which includes funds borrowed from IDBI Bank were used for legitimate business purposes only.”

Multiple investigations have been going on since July, 2015, and this allegation has never been made, the statement said. “We are shocked at the allegation made by ED before the PMLA Court for the very first time,” it said, adding that “the basis of seeking a non-bailable warrant (NBW) against our chairman is erroneous and unjustified.” A special PMLA court has reserved its order till April 18 on the plea of the central agency, which probes financial crimes, for a NBW against the beleaguered businessman.

Mallya, now in Britain, is charged with siphoning off a portion of money involving IDBI loan of Rs 950 crore, which he had borrowed for the  airline. On April 15, the Ministry of External Affairs had suspended the diplomatic passport of Mallya, a Rajya Sabha MP.