Vijay Mallya, who has acquired expertise in the ‘Art of Leaving’, is now mired in a controversy over the ‘right time’ to return.
On March 12, the Sunday Guardian newspaper carried statements attributed to Vijay Mallya, saying that the time was “not right” for him to return to India.
Just two days later, Mallya denied ever having said anything of the sort.
However, Sunday Guardian stands by its interview of Mallya which he gave on March 12, 2016 and has released what it says, is its email correspondence with Mallya.
Here are some excerpts of the email chain along with Mallya’s responses:
Sunday Guradian: What was the purpose of your leaving the country on March 2? Was it related to your failure to pay back loans or a casual visit? Why haven’t you spoken out till now?
Mallya: I left from Delhi for a personal visit with a friend. It wasn’t a business visit. There was a lookout notice issued against me last year. But I didn’t ‘escape’. Why am I being portrayed as a criminal now? Loan defaults are a business matter. When the banks give out loans, they know the risk involved. They decide, we don’t. Our own business was flourishing, but plummeted suddenly. Don’t make me the villain. I have the best intentions. I’m quiet because fear my words will be twisted like of others.
Sunday Guardian: Ironically, the time you left was just before the banks moved the court? Did someone tip you off?
Mallya: That is a matter of interpretation. It’s not the first time I’ve flown out from the country. I’ve not done anything wrong. I don’t need anyone to tip me off about anything. Most of the big media houses are running a whole lot of lies about me. Speculations rule the papers. TV channels claims to have information about me from their sources. It’s a big agenda that some people are pushing against me. I am being victimized. And if people are doubting the integrity of bank employees, then why point the finger at me?
Sunday Guardian: Do you plan to step back into India? If yes, when?
Mallya: I am an Indian to the core. Of course I want to return. But I’m not sure I’ll get a fair chance to present my side. I’ve already been branded as the criminal. I do not feel the time is right. I feel passions are high. They need to understand that business, whether large or small, has risks involved. But I hope that I return one day. India has given me everything. It made me Vijay Mallya.
Mallya personally responded to the questionnaire from the Sunday Guardian from the email id: vjmallya@protonmail.com.
But what is ProtonMail?
ProtonMail describes itself as an organization which aims to build an internet that respects privacy and is secure against cyberattacks”. Registered in Switzerland, Proton Technologies, provides a free email service which is secure, and comes with “built-in end-to-end encryption and state of the art security features”.
These are some of Mallya’s tweets in response:
Shocked to see media statements that I gave an interview to Sunday Guardian without verification.I have not given any statement to anyone.
— Vijay Mallya (@TheVijayMallya) March 14, 2016
Shocked to see Sunday Guardian's claim that I exchanged mails with them from my protonmail account. Have never heard of protonmail before.
— Vijay Mallya (@TheVijayMallya) March 14, 2016
Never ever had nor do I have a protonmail e-mail account. As I said earlier I have never ever heard of protonmail.
— Vijay Mallya (@TheVijayMallya) March 14, 2016
Sunday Guardian's claim that I wrote to them from my so called protonmail account to the reporters protonmail account is a total fake.
— Vijay Mallya (@TheVijayMallya) March 14, 2016