Time is not right for my return: Mallya

"I am an Indian to the core. Of course I want to return. But I’m not sure I’ll get a fair chance to present my side. I’ve already been branded as criminal. I do not feel the time is right. I feel passions are high. People need to think rationally. They need to understand that business, whether large or small, has risks involved. I’ve seen the highest to the lowest points in this matter. But I hope that I return one day. India has given me everything. It made me Vijay Mallya," the businessman told the Sunday Guardian.

He said he left Delhi for a personal visit with a friend.

"I left from Delhi for a personal visit with a friend. It wasn’t a business visit. Lots of people have written that I was carrying seven luggage bags. If I did or not, that’s another story. But, for two people, I don’t think that’s too much. I pack heavy. That’s how I travel. There was a lookout notice issued against me last year. But I didn’t 'escape'. Why am I being portrayed as a criminal now? Loan defaults are a business matter. When the banks give out loans, they know the risk involved. They decide, we don’t. Our own business was flourishing, but plummeted suddenly. Don’t make me the villain. I have the best intentions. I’m quiet because I fear my words will be twisted like of others," he told the UK daily.

Adding more troubles, A Hyderabad court has issued non-bailable  warrant against Mallya  in connection with a cheque bounce case.

The warrant was issued by Mallya failed to appear before the court  March 10.

He has been directed to appear in the court before Apr 13.

Mallya, who owes over Rs 9000 crore to banks,on Sunday made it clear that he will not speak to media and that he is being hunted down by the UK mediapersons.

He also advised media to not seek for his comments as that will be a wasted effort.

"I am being hunted down by media in UK. Sadly they did not look in the obvious place. I will not speak to media so don't waste your efforts," Mallya tweeted.

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

Mallya earlier 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."

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.

On charges of defaulting on loan, the Karnataka High Court had recently issued a notice to the liquor baron  on a petition filed by State Bank of India (SBI) and 17 other banks seeking his arrest.