onding businessman Vijay Mallya has made a “humble request” to banks to accept his offer to pay back the money he borrowed to keep his now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines afloat. Mallya also slammed the Indian media for repeatedly calling him a defaulter.
Mallya made this request on Twitter, just a day after alleged AgustaWestland deal middleman Christian Michel was brought to India from the UAE. India has initiated similar proceedings against economic offenders like Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi, and Vijay Mallya.
The case against Mallya is pending in a court in London, where Mallya is currently residing.
In a series of posts on micro-blogging website Twitter, Mallya reiterated his stand to pay 100 per cent of the principal amount to banks and called for fair treatment.
“Politicians and media are constantly talking loudly about my being a defaulter who has run away with PSU Bank money. All this is false. Why don’t I get fair treatment and the same loud noise about my comprehensive settlement offer before the Karnataka High Court,” Mallya said.
“I see the quick media narrative about my extradition decision. That is separate and will take its own legal course. The most important point is public money and I am offering to pay 100% back,” Vijay Mallya added.
“I humbly request the Banks and Government to take it. If payback refused, WHY?” he questioned.
Mallya further said that his Kingfisher Airlines venture was a “fabulous” airline, but added that it failed due to additional costs towards skyrocketing aviation turbine fuel prices.
“Airlines struggling financially partly becoz [sic] of high ATF prices. Kingfisher was a fab airline that faced the highest ever crude prices of $ 140/barrel. Losses mounted and that’s where Banks money went.I have offered to repay 100 % of the Principal amount to them. Please take it,” the beleaguered businessman said.