Mallya says he didn’t gatecrash London event

LONDON: Liquor baron Vijay Mallya on Sunday said he was not a “gatecrasher”, a day after the foreign ministry denied he was on the list of invitees for a London

LONDON: Liquor baron Vijay Mallya on Sunday said he was not a “gatecrasher”, a day after the foreign ministry denied he was on the list of invitees for a London book launch attended by Indian high commissioner Navtej Sarna.

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Mallya, declared a proclaimed offender in a money laundering case, tweeted that he had attended the event organised by the London School of Economics (LSE) for his “friend” — author Suhel Seth.

The businessman’s appearance prompted Sarna to leave half-way through the event held on Thursday. Both the high commission and LSE have denied inviting him.

Mallya had flown out of the country to the United Kingdom on March 2, without clearing Rs 9,000 crore in unpaid loans.

“I went for my friend — the author. Sat quietly with my daughter and listened. Headline news and unfounded speculation followed… Never gatecrashed in my life... I am not a gatecrasher and would never be one,” Mallya stated on Twitter.

“No evidence, no charge sheet. Before claiming all this, should I not be given a chance to pursue my legal remedies? Most unfair,” he added.

Mallya’s claim found support in Bangalore-based entrepreneur Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, who tweeted that the businessman “would never gatecrash any event. He must have been invited”.

There were indications that India would soon take up Mallya-related issues with the Cameron government. Britain had previously advised India to consider initiating extradition proceedings against him, instead of seeking deportation.

The event was organised by the 100 Foot Journey Club, a joint initiative of the LSE South Asia Centre and the Indian high commission.