4 days ago
Vijay Mallya breaks his silence after 9 years on a podcast, opens up about returning to India: 'If I have assurance of a fair trial...'
Businessman Vijay Mallya, the former Kingfisher Airlines chief and fugitive, who is facing multiple fraud charges in India, appeared on a podcast with Raj Shamani
on Thursday. During the podcast, the ex-Kingfisher chief opened up for a four-hour-long conversation, where he expressed his thoughts on returning to India.
Taking to his X (formerly called Twitter), Mallya shared multiple posts and reels on Thursday, saying, "For those who are interested, I have spoken for the first time in nine years on this podcast. I want to say sorry to the employees of Kingfisher Airlines and also to set the record straight with facts and the truth."
Following this, he also shared a few short clips from the reel, revealing the fraud case charges against him and more.
Upon being asked whether his troubles worsened because he did not return to the country, Mallya responded by saying, 'If I have assurance of a fair trial and a dignified existence in India, you may be right, but I don't.'
For those who are interested, I have spoken for the first time in nine years on this podcast.I want to say sorry to employees of Kingfisher Airlines and also to set the record straight with facts and the truth.
Is Vijay Mallya willing to return to India?
After this, Shamani went on to ask him if he would be willing to return to India if he were assured a fair trial. Mallya replied by saying that he is completely assured and he will think about it seriously.
'But, you should also be aware that there are other people who the government of India is targeting for extradition from the UK back to India in whose case, they have got a judgment from the high court of appeal that Indian detention conditions are violative of article 3 of the ECHR (European Convention on Human Rights), and therefore they can't be sent back,' he added.
Being called 'fugitive' is fair
The conversation went on, and then Shamani asked whether Mallya thinks it was fair to be called a 'fugitive' for leaving India and not coming back.
However, he questioned why he is called a 'chor' (thief) and where the 'chori' (theft) is. He said, since he didn't travel to India after March 2016, one can consider him a fugitive. "I flew out of India on a prescheduled visit. Fair enough, I did not return for reasons that I consider valid, so if you want to call me a fugitive, go ahead, but where is the 'chor' coming from… where is the 'chori'?"
Netizens react to Vijay Mallya's conversations on podcast
As soon as Mallya shared the post on his X, netizens quickly shared their strong reactions, and one user asked, "If so, why afraid of facing trial?"
If so, why afraid of facing trial?
"Do One more podcast with additional Guest: SBI," another said.
Do One more podcast with additional Guest: SBI 😅🙏
"SBI wants to know your location buddy..."
"Too late! Just coz RCB won IPL u believe ppl will believe ur baseless story??"
"Just comeback man, they won't be able to prove legally that you are a criminal anymore now that all dues are paid. It's time someone fought the government head on and exposed them."
Just comeback man, they won't be able to prove legally that you are a criminal anymore now that all dues are paid. It's time someone fought the government head on and exposed them
"Wow! It's a movie"
"Hoping SBI addresses this soon. Still waiting for their tweet."
