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Swarajya Staff
Dec 05, 2018, 01:17 PM | Updated 01:17 PM IST
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In a series of new tweets, disgraced businessman Vijay Mallya who is currently facing extradition proceedings in the United Kingdom (UK) over fraud and money laundering charges pressed by the Indian government, has made an offer to pay back ‘100 per cent of the principal amount’ he owes to Indian banks, Mint has reported.
Mallya is currently out on bail on an extradition warrant which was executed against him by the Scotland Yard last year. He is fighting a court battle to prevent his extradition to India.
For three decades running Indiaâs largest alcoholic beverage group, we contributed thousands of crores to the State exchequers. Kingfisher Airlines also contributed handsomely to the States. Sad loss of the finest Airline but still I offer to pay Banks so no loss. Please take it.
— Vijay Mallya (@TheVijayMallya) December 5, 2018
The exiled businessman made similar claims of offering to pay back the debt amount to Indian Banks twice but stated that they had refused his offer. Mallya lamented that he had been turned into the ‘poster boy’ of bank defaults and had become the scapegoat for public outrage.
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. I humbly request the Banks and Government to take it. If payback refused, WHY ?
— Vijay Mallya (@TheVijayMallya) December 5, 2018
Mallya reiterated his plea that he was willing to make public coffers whole again, but that his offers were being continuously rejected.
Mallya has been accused of embezzlements to the tune of Rs 9,000 crore, mostly related to the bank loans for Kingfisher Airlines. He has complained of being labelled a ‘wilful defaulter’ by several banks despite his willingness to pay, the Mint report says.