Vijay Mallya spotted at UK book launch event

The same event at the LSE was attended by Indian High Commissioner Navtej Sarna

London: Declared a proclaimed offender in a money laundering case and wanted in India, liquor baron Vijay Mallya was spotted at a book launch event at the London School of Economics this week that was attended by Indian High Commissioner Navtej Sarna, causing flutters back home.

Vijay Mallya

Social media was in a frenzy after it emerged that Sarna, who was one of the special guests at the event on Thursday evening to mark the launch of socialite Suhel Seth's new book, was also present at the event.

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

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also got into the act when it issued a statement, saying Sarna left the event without waiting for the interactive session after he spotted Mallya.

It also said, "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. The list of invitations for the LSE event was determined by LSE."

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