The Ministry of External Affairs today issued a clarification after reports emerged that Vijay Mallya, who has been declared a proclaimed offender by a Mumbai court in a money laundering case, was spotted at a book launch event at London School of Economics this week which was attended by Indian High Commissioner Navtej Sarna.
In a statement, the Ministry said, Mallya was certainly not an invitee to the reception at the High Commission for which the invitations were issued by the High Commission, and was not present.
It said, there were two clear segments-book launch by UK Minister Jo Johnson and discussion at LSE and later reception at High Commission for select guests. The Ministry said, when the Indian envoy spotted Vijay Mallya in the audience he left the stage and venue immediately after making his comments.
The government said that the London School of Economics has written to the High Commissioner, saying it had not invited Mallya to the event that was advertised widely through social media and attendees were not required to register in advance.
The MEA issued the statement after it emerged that Indian High Commissioner Navtej Singh Sarna was one of the special guests at Suhel Seth’s book launch event in London on June 16, where Mallya was reportedly present.