New Delhi: Fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya on Thursday shared a bonhomie with former Indian Premier League (IPL) founder Lalit Modi after the latter later took to X to wish the former chairman of United Spirits his birthday. The bonhomie took pace after Mallya shared a message on X over the Enforcement Directorate’s Rs 4,000 debt recovery from him.
In his message to Mallya, Lalit Modi wrote, “Wishing you my friend Vijay Mallya a very Happy Birthday – life sure has its ups and downs we have both seen it. This too shall pass. May the year ahead be your year. And you are surrounded by love and laughter. Big big hug.” In his response, Mallya wrote, “Thank you my dearest friend….we both have been wronged in a Country we tried to contribute to. We both have been wronged in a country we tried to contribute to.”
Vijay Mallya on debt recovery
In a series of messages earlier, Mallya wrote, “ The Debt Recovery Tribunal adjudged the KFA debt at Rs 6203 crores including Rs 1200 crores of interest. The FM announced in Parliament that through the ED, Banks have recovered Rs 14,131.60 crores from me against the judgment debt of Rs 6203 crores and I am still an economic offender. Unless the ED and Banks can legally justify how they have taken more than two times the debt, I am entitled to the relief which I will pursue.”
Never borrowed a single rupee: Mallya
“Government and my many critics say that I have CBI criminal cases to answer. What criminal cases are filed by the CBI? Never borrowed a single rupee, never stole, but as guarantor of KFA debt, I am accused by CBI together with many others including IDBI Bank officials of fraudulently obtaining a Rs 900 crore loan from IDBI Bank duly approved by their credit committee and Board. Full loan and interest repaid. After 9 years why no conclusive evidence of fraud and misuse of funds?”, he added in another message on X.
