Mallya, India's UK Envoy Seen at a Book Launch Event at LSE

London: Business tycoon Vijay Mallya, who was declared as a proclaimed offender in a money laundering case in India, was recently seen at socialite Suhel Seth's book launch event at the London School of Economics (LSE) where Indian High Commissioner Navtej Sarna was also present.

Soon after a television news channel showed video footage of Indian High Commissioner and Mallya in the hall where the event (book launch) was held, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a statement, which reads, "With regards to the story on Vijay Mallya at an event in London on June 16, please note that there were two clear segments - the book launch by UK Minister Jo Johnson and discussion at LSE and later a reception at the high commission for select guests."

It further reads, "The list of invitations for the LSE event was determined by the institute. They have written to the high commissioner that Mallya was not on their list. They have also said that the event was advertised widely through social media and attendees were not required to register in advance. When the high commissioner spotted Mallya in the audience he left the stage and venue immediately after making his comments and without waiting for the interactive session."

"Mallya was certainly not an invitee to the reception at the high commission," it clarified.

Suhel Seth also contended that it was an open event at the LSE, where anyone could come because of the open invitation.

Seth stressed that Mallya was not an invited guest at the event, which was an event open to anyone who wanted to attend.

He tweeted: "About @TheVijayMallya at my book launch. It was an open @SAsiaLSE & advertised on Twitter. No specific invitations. Anyone could attend."

"Upon realising that @TheVijayMallya was in the audience as any other person, @NavtejSarna left before the Q&A expressing displeasure," his tweet reads.

"The High Commissioner upon seeing Mallya walk in actually at the mid of the event, got up and left. To say he rubbed shoulder or he met Mallya is incorrect," Seth said.

The event to release Seth's book 'Mantras for Success: India's Greatest CEOs Tell You How to Win' was organised by the 100 Foot Journey Club, set up as a collaboration between the Indian High Commission and LSE last month as a forum to discuss and debate issues of contemporary relevance within the India-UK sphere.

The club had been launched in May with a talk at LSE on 'Rethinking the Global Monetary System' by RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan.

Mallya was the chairman and managing director of now defunct Kingfisher Airlines. He was also the chairman of United Spirits Ltd.

He is facing money laundering allegations in connection with a Rs.900-crore IDBI Bank loan default by his now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines.

On April 9, Mallya dodged an ED summons for the third time since he left the country on March 2, and sought more time. He had said he would not be able to appear before the agency now as he is currently negotiating with banks for repaying the loan.