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.

 

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.

— Vijay Mallya (@TheVijayMallya) March 10, 2016

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

As an Indian MP I fully respect and will comply with the law of the land. Our judicial system is sound and respected. But no trial by media.

— Vijay Mallya (@TheVijayMallya) March 10, 2016

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.

Once a media witch hunt starts it escalates into a raging fire where truth and facts are burnt to ashes.

— Vijay Mallya (@TheVijayMallya) March 11, 2016

Let media bosses not forget help, favours,accommodation that I have provided over several years which are documented. Now lies to gain TRP ?

— Vijay Mallya (@TheVijayMallya) March 10, 2016

The editor of Times Now needs to be in prison clothes and eat prison food for libel, deceit, slander and absolutely sensational lies.

— Vijay Mallya (@TheVijayMallya) March 10, 2016

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

News reports that I must declare my assets. Does that mean that Banks did not know my assets or look at my Parliamentary disclosures ?

— Vijay Mallya (@TheVijayMallya) March 11, 2016

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.