Publications
Partners
New Delhi - Flamboyant business tycoon Vijay Mallya has been causing headaches for India's cricketers on tour in England, showing up at a match and a red-carpet event while on bail over massive fraud charges.
The indebted liquor baron -- who fled India in 2016 owing more than $1.3 billion -- raised eyebrows after being snapped at a charity dinner hosted by skipper Virat Kohli and attended by other A-listers.
Images of the once self-proclaimed "King of Good Times" -- who enjoyed a famously lavish lifestyle -- sharing the room with India's cricketers past and present, including Sachin Tendulkar, have gone viral back home.
Mallya had already been photographed watching from the stands as India thumped Pakistan in their Champions Trophy opener, challenging those who bristled at the sight of the accused fraudster enjoying a day at the cricket.
"Wide sensational media coverage on my attendance at the IND v PAK match at Edgbaston. I intend to attend all games to cheer the India team," Mallya wrote on Twitter.
India has been trying unsuccessfully to bring Mallya before the courts and his creditors have been attempting to retrieve debts.
But the 61-year-old has refused voluntarily to return from Britain to face multiple charges.
The troubled financier, who co-owns Formula One team Force India, was arrested in London in April following an extradition request from India and granted bail.
Last month he was found guilty of contempt by India's top court after he was found to have violated court orders by transferring $40 million to his three children.
The court has requested he appear before July 10, when a judgement is expected to be handed down.
Mallya, who dropped off India's rich list in 2014, has denied any wrongdoing and repeatedly ignored court warrants and requests to appear before investigators.
Wide sensational media coverage on my attendance at the IND v PAK match at Edgbaston. I intend to attend all games to cheer the India team.
— Vijay Mallya (@TheVijayMallya) June 6, 2017
