Daijiworld Media Network – London

London, Sep 9: Fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya has rejected allegations that he is deliberately refusing to return to India, claiming that he is legally prohibited from leaving the United Kingdom.

In a series of posts on X, Mallya said he has been a permanent resident of the UK since 1992 and alleged that the Government of India had been 'grossly unjust' towards him.

“For all who say I am a bhagoda refusing to come to India, please be aware that I have been a permanent resident of the United Kingdom since 1992 and am currently legally prohibited from leaving this country,” Mallya said.

Mallya is among 15 individuals declared Fugitive Economic Offenders under the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018. He has challenged provisions of the Act as well as his declaration as a fugitive economic offender.

The businessman also referred to a reported affidavit filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) before the Bombay High Court, claiming that substantial amounts had already been recovered from him. He questioned why he continued to be described as a fraudster despite what he claimed were recoveries of Rs 14,131.60 crore.

Mallya further shared what he described as a statement of account regarding recoveries and questioned whether he had been unfairly labelled a fugitive by the media and authorities.

He also claimed that the ED had released more than Rs 350 crore from attached funds towards payments to Kingfisher Airlines employees, alleging that he had been unable to make payments because his assets and funds had been attached.

Earlier this year, the Bombay High Court had reprimanded Mallya, observing that he could not seek equitable relief while deliberately avoiding court proceedings. The court had given him a final opportunity to clarify whether he intended to return to India.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs has maintained that the Indian Government remains committed to ensuring that fugitives wanted by law return to the country and face trial.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had earlier said that the government was engaged with several countries and that multiple legal processes were involved in securing the return of wanted economic offenders.

The government, he said, remained committed to bringing fugitives back to India so that they could face trial before Indian courts.