Fugitive liquor baron, Vijay Mallya, lashed out at critics for conducting a shoddy probe and feels that the “time has come” for to state the factual position in the reply to the controversy. Mallya said he had made efforts to contact the government and PSU banks, citing a letter that he wrote in 2016 to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Mallya said he is tired of the relentless pursuit to recover dues from him, adding that he is tired. “Have become a poster boy of bank default and a lightning rod of public anger,” he had mentioned in the letter. As per the letter, Mallya has also agreed to settle the dues of Indian banks. However, he made it clear that some of the claims made by the consortium of banks are bogus. He said, “Bulk of the claims of PSU Banks is on account of interest.”
Mallya has also agreed to repay dues worth Rs 13,000 crore that he owes to the banks, according to the new statement. The development came at a time when the investigative agencies in India have ramped up their efforts to extradite him back to India. It is worth mentioning here that Mallya has been under constant pressure from the authorities.
“I respectfully submit that this is a clear example of politically motivated abuse of power with no legal basis whatsoever and raises a fundamental question on whether the government wants me to repay public sector banks or not,” he said. He went on to blame the Enforcement Directorate for misusing power bestowed on them in the case.
He went on to slam the investigative agency not only for conducting a shoddy probe in the case but also because his assets were attached wrongfully. He further said that the overreaches of ED misusing his vast powers under PMLA is self-evident. “It is surprising that Ed has objected in court to my group’s application for sale of assets in order to allow me to repay creditors including Public Sector Banks. It is surprising that Ed has objected in court to my group’s application for sale of assets in order to allow me to repay creditors including Public Sector Banks.,” he added.
The most crucial point showcased by Mallya was the 2016 letter to the PM, where he had attempted to explain the situation and even wanted to put things in the right perspective. However, there was no reply to his letter at the time and he felt that he was being made the poster boy of wilful defaulters in India.
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