Absconding loan defaulter and former liquor baron Vijay Mallya took a dig at the Indian government and judicial system after attending a hearing in the extradition case at the Metropolitan Magistrates Court in London on Tuesday.
Mallya, sought by India for defaulting on several bank loans amounting to nearly Rs 9,000 crore, was granted bail till December 6 by the London court, while the next hearing in the case has been scheduled for July 6. Britain’s Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has been appearing for the case on behalf of India.
While speaking to reporters after the hearing, the UB Group chairman stated that he did not divert any loans. Mallya said he would defend his stance before the court of law and was not answerable to the media.
“You can keep dreaming about the billion pounds, provided you have the facts to justify your questions,” an ANI video quoted the Karnataka native as saying outside the court.
#WATCH Keep dreaming about the billion pounds, provided you have facts to justify your questions: Vijay Mallya after court hearing in London pic.twitter.com/KUyHj12C0k
— ANI (@ANI_news) June 13, 2017When asked why was he at the court if he wasn't a loan defaulter, Mallya said that it's only because it was his “lawful duty" to attend the court during the hearing.
During the Champions Trophy match between India and South Africa at the Oval in London on Sunday, Indian supporters had shouted "chor, chor" after seeing Mallya in the VIP box. However, the businessman played down the incident and said that his compatriots had no issues with him.
“I was not called a thief by the crowd at the Oval. One or two drunk people were shouting something but several other Indian supporters came and wished me well,” reports quoted him as saying.
#WATCH I deny all allegations, I have enough evidence to prove my case in court,says Vijay Mallya on arrival in London court pic.twitter.com/n5U0sNHIhY
— ANI (@ANI_news) June 13, 2017