Vijay Mallya Says Willing To Return To India 'If I Get Assurance Of...'
Talking about his business, media "misunderstanding", potential of coming back to India and more, Mallya breaks down his journey and what lies ahead.
In a four-hour long conversation with podcaster Raj Shamani, Vijay Mallya, who is facing fraud and money laundering charges in India, addressed the allegations against him, his potential return to India and the collapse of his Kingfisher Airlines.
Talking about his business, media "misunderstanding", potential of coming back to India and more, Mallya breaks down his journey and what lies ahead.
"Willing To Return To India If..."
Mallya expressed his willingness to return to India, provided he receives assurance of a fair trial concerning the accusations of defaulting on substantial loans from Indian banks. He stated he would seriously consider returning to India if guaranteed a fair trial and a "dignified existence" in his home country.
"If I have a fair assurance of a fair trial and dignified existence in India, I will think about it (returning to India) seriously," Mallya said.
"Call me a fugitive for not going to India post-March (2016). I didn't run away, I flew out of India on a prescheduled visit. Fair enough, I did not return for reasons that I consider are valid, so if you want to call me a fugitive, go ahead, but where is the 'chor' coming from... where is the 'chori'?" he asserted.
Turmoil At Kingfisher
During the podcast, Mallya attributed much of Kingfisher's downfall to the 2008 global financial crisis. Mallya left India for the UK in March 2016 and has since been residing in London, engaging in a prolonged legal battle against extradition to India.
He said even after giving Kingfisher his all, the business failed due to that particular time. Issues like regulations, blockage of investments had caused the fall of Kingfisher.
"The frenzy of the past does not last forever so I have interests to keep me occupied," he said. Talking about the biggest misunderstanding around him, Mallya said that there is very little that people understand about him.
"People - they have really tried to break me down brick by brick. Maybe it's my upbringing, I started very young, I'm tough so I do not get pushed over and I stand my ground," he said. Mallya said he is prepared for the worst and is ready to face it head on if it is inevitable.
