Vijay Mallya calls foul on email interview; publication refutes claim

In a twist of events, beleaguered business tycoon Vijay Mallya has distanced himself from an interview that he allegedly gave to an Indian newspaper on Saturday.

The Sunday Guardian reported on March 12 that Mallya, in an email interview, had told the newspaper that the time was not right for him to return to India. Saying that banks gave loans after evaluating all the aspects of the business, Mallya is quoted saying that he was being made into a villain in the country.

This was soon after Mallya had taken to Twitter saying that he will not be speaking to any media persons.

Now, Mallya has called foul on the interview by the Sunday Guardian, saying that he never gave an interview to the publication. 

Shocked to see media statements that I gave an interview to Sunday Guardian without verification.I have not given any statement to anyone.

— Vijay Mallya (@TheVijayMallya) March 14, 2016

Soon after, the publication said that Mallya had personally responded to their questionnaire over 'protonmail', a secure email service based in Switzerland. 

Shocked to see Sunday Guardian's claim that I exchanged mails with them from my protonmail account. Have never heard of protonmail before.

— Vijay Mallya (@TheVijayMallya) March 14, 2016

However, while Mallya claims that he'd never heard of protonmail or used it, the publication said it stands by the interview. The publication said that that Mallya's legal counsel had verified Mallya's email id.

Never ever had nor do I have a protonmail e-mail account. As I said earlier I have never ever heard of protonmail.

— Vijay Mallya (@TheVijayMallya) March 14, 2016

Sunday Guardian's claim that I wrote to them from my so called protonmail account to the reporters protonmail account is a total fake.

— Vijay Mallya (@TheVijayMallya) March 14, 2016