Liquor baron Vijay Mallya on Friday dismissed claims that he had fled the country even as the enforcement directorate issued summons for his appearance in part of its money laundering probe.
Liquor baron Vijay Mallya on Friday dismissed claims that he had fled the country even as the enforcement directorate issued summons for his appearance in part of its money laundering probe.
“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,” Mr Mallya tweeted on Friday.
He, however, did not disclose his location. Maintaining that he will comply with the law, Mr Mallya tweeted: “As an Indian MP, I fully respect (the law) and will comply with it. Our judicial system is sound and respected. But no trial by media.”
Accusing the media of spreading lies in an attempt to increase its viewership ratings, the founder of defunct Kingfisher Airlines said: “Once a media witch hunt starts, it escalates into a raging fire where truth and facts are burnt to ashes. Let media bosses not forget help, favours, accommodation that I have provided over several years which are documented. Now lies to gain TRP .”
Sources, meanwhile, said that the enforcement directorate has summo-ned Mr Mallya to appear before its investigators in Mumbai on March 18. The summons are in connection to its money laundering probe in the alleged default in payment of Rs 900 crore dues to IDBI Bank.
The ED, sources said, has also asked Mr Mallya to furnish documents related to his personal finances. Responding to calls seeking Mr Mallya to declare his assets, the 60-year-old liquor baron said: “Does that mean that Banks did not know my assets or look at my Parliamentary disclosures ”
