Vijay Mallya says 'witch hunt' no threat to Force India F1 team

Mallya returned to the F1 paddock for the first time this season at the recent British Grand Prix, having been unable to travel after his diplomatic passport was revoked in April and a warrant issued for his arrest.

Authorities in India are chasing Mallya for £900million they claim he owes in the wake of the collapse of one of his former businesses, Kingfisher Airlines, in 2013.

"I have been through this before," Mallya told Autosport.

"My first brush with the investigative authorities was in 1985.

"They came at me hammer and tongs for almost two years and finally found nothing, and I was completely exonerated.

"So sadly in India, these investigative agencies are political tools that do not hesitate to go on a wild-goose chase, and in the process it is nothing but persecution.

"There is no other way I can describe what is happening other than a witch hunt. I just have to ride out the storm."

Mallya says he prepared to fully co-operate with any investigation, but his presence is required in India - which is impossible when he is unable to travel.

"They [the Indian authorities] have had access to many executives of Kingfisher Airlines, and they have had access to thousands of documents," said Mallya.

"If the missing link is only to interview me, come to London and interview me, get on the radio conference and interview me, send me an email with questions and I will reply. I have nothing to hide.

"But it seems a bit contradictory and disconcerting, that just because I'm not physically present in India, that they should issue an arrest warrant and cancel my passport.

"What confidence does that give me about their real intentions?"

Mallya and the Sahara company each own 42.5% of Force India. Sahara chief Subrata Roy has been jailed in India for financial irregularities.

But Mallya insists Force India is now financially independent enough for its owners' respective issues not to jeopardise its future.

"In the last three years our sponsorship is up significantly," he said.

"Today the gap in funding that is demanded of shareholders is almost negligible, in comparison to what it was five years ago.

"If I say the team is financially secure, and standing on its own feet, that's the truth."

Roy has sought permission from India's Supreme Court to dispose of his Force India stake, but Mallya concedes there are no purchasers lined up.

"It's always good to have the permission in hand because then if you need to negotiate with a prospective buyer, you have everything ready," he said.

"But there is no deal on the table, and I'm not making any effort whatsoever to either sell or to solicit investment."