Congress accuses BJP govt. of complicity in Mallya's departure from India

On a day when Mallya tweeted that he is not an absconder, Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala addressing media said: "Mallya has not left the country but made to run away with active abetment of the government agency."

The Prime Minister and the Finance Minister must answer the country and Parliament, he said.

He asked why no action was taken despite an FIR of CBI and other agencies against Mallya who owes more than Rs 9000 crore.

He said why his passport was not confiscated. "There is a back channel understanding of the 'fair and lovely' scheme of the Modi government," he said.

Vijay Mallya on Friday tweeted that he is not an 'absconder' and being an 'international businessman' he travels to and from India frequently. He said he did not 'flee' from India.

The liquor baron's whereabouts is still a mystery though several media reported from Hertfordshire near London as his possible place of stay now.

Mallya tweeted: "I am an international businessman. I travel to and from India frequently. I did not flee from India and neither am I an absconder. Rubbish."

"As an Indian MP I fully respect and will comply with the law of the land. Our judicial system is sound and respected. But no trial by media," he said.

Attacking the media, the businessman tweeted: "Let media bosses not forget help, favours,accommodation that I have provided over several years which are documented. Now lies to gain TRP ?"

"News reports that I must declare my assets. Does that mean that Banks did not know my assets or look at my Parliamentary disclosures ?" he asked.

Mallya said: "Once a media witch hunt starts it escalates into a raging fire where truth and facts are burnt to ashes."

The Indian Parliament was rocked on Thursday over how he could leave India with the Opposition and the ruling BJP sparring over Mallya. Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi also outside the House attacked the BJP asking how could Mallya leave India.

A consortium of banks, led by the State Bank of India, had filed a petition with the Supreme Court that Mallya's passport be impounded and he should not be allowed to leave the country. They feared that he may fly to London to avoid his lenders, according to reports.

The SC issued a notice to Mallya on Wednesday and asked him to reply within two weeks why his passport should not be impounded.

Meanwhile, the Debt Recovery Tribunal has also barred Mallya from accessing the Rs 515 crore severance pay he is to receive from Diageo for stepping down as the chariman of the UB Group.