The Enforcement Directorate and other law enforcing agencies might have to wait indefinitely for the return of liquor baron and business tycoon Vijay Mallya who owes Rs 9,000 crore to 17 banks. In an email interview to The Sunday Guardian, Mallya said the time was not right for him to come back to India.
Meanwhile, in more trouble for the flamboyant businessman, a Non-Bailable Warrant (NBW) has been issued against him after he failed to appear in a Hyderabad court in connection with alleged dishonour of a cheque of Rs 50 lakh to GMR Hyderabad International Airport ltd.
Breaking his silence on his escape to london at a time when he is facing proceedings back home for massive loan default, Mallya sought to reject charges that he was on the run to evade law enforcement agencies.
On being asked about the purpose of leaving India on March 2, Mallya said he left for a personal visit with a friend and it wasn’t a business visit.
“lots of people have written that I was carrying seven suitcases. If I did or not, that’s another story. But, for two people, I don’t think that’s too much. I pack heavy. That’s how I travel. There was a lookout notice issued against me last year. But I didn’t ‘escape’,” he said.
Wondering why he was being portrayed as a criminal when loan defaults are a business matter. Mallya said his business was flourishing, but plummeted suddenly. “Don’t make me the villain. I have the best intentions. I’m quiet because I fear my words will be twisted like of others,” he said.
On asked whether someone tipped him off about banks seeking his arrest, he said it was not the first time he flew out of the country and maintained he had done nothing wrong that anyone need to tip him off about anything.
“Most of the big media houses are running a whole lot of lies about me. Speculations rule the papers. TV channels claim to have information about me from their sources. It’s a big agenda that some people are pushing against me. I am being victimised. And if people doubt the integrity of
bank employees, then why point the finger at meIJ I’ve always taken things on my chin. I’ve lived grand and helped people do the same. I’ve never hidden any aspect about my life. I’m one of the most open people. I’m forced to go into hiding and that makes me sick,” he said.
On asked did he plan to return to India, Mallya said since he was already branded as a criminal he was not sure he will get a fair chance to present his side.
“I do not feel the time is right. I feel passions are high. People need to think rationally. They need to understand that business, whether large or small, has risks involved. I’ve seen the highest to the lowest points in this matter. But I hope that I return one day. India has given me everything. It made me Vijay Mallya,” he said.
On asked about his whereabouts, Mallya said he did not think it is wise for him to reveal it. “I’m no hardened criminal who the authorities need to hunt. For now, I want to feel safe,” he said.
Meanwhile, a NBW was issued against Mallya after he failed to appear in a Hyderabad court in connection with alleged dishonour of a cheque of Rs 50 lakh to GMR Hyderabad International Airport ltd.
The counsel for Mallya, said he will move the High Court seeking quashing of the NBW.
The 14th additional chief metropolitan magistrate court issued the non-bailable warrants on March 10 against the now-defunct Kingfisher Airline, its chairman Vijay Mallya and another senior official of the company and posted the matter for April 13.
GMR counsel G Ashok Reddy said, “He (Mallya) and others were supposed to appear before the court on March 10. They did not appear ... Hence, court issued NBW order which has to be executed by April 13.”
There are a total of 11 cases involving Rs 8 crore payment to GMR and the NBWs were issued in connection with a Rs 50 lakh bounced cheque, he said.
GMR Hyderabad International Airport ltd, or GHIAl, which runs Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, had filed a petition in the court seeking Mallya’s prosecution for defaulting on payments and cheating them by allegedly issuing cheques that bounced.