MEA Condemns Lalit Modi and Vijay Mallya for Mocking India as ‘Fugitives’
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on December 26 strongly reacted to a viral video from London featuring fugitive businessmen Lalit Modi and Vijay Mallya, asserting that all individuals wanted by Indian law will face trial. In the clip, Modi mockingly referred to himself and Mallya as the “two biggest fugitives of India,” prompting widespread outrage across the country. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasized that legal and diplomatic channels would continue to be used to bring back those accused of crimes.
The video, shared on social media on December 23, shows Mallya celebrating his 70th birthday alongside his partner Pinky Lalwani at a party reportedly held at Modi’s Belgrave Square residence in London. Modi’s provocative remarks, coupled with the caption targeting Indian media, intensified criticism back home and reignited debates over accountability for high-profile economic offenders living abroad.
Vijay Mallya left India in March 2016 following the collapse of Kingfisher Airlines and is wanted for defaulting on loans exceeding ₹9,000 crore. He was declared a Fugitive Economic Offender in 2019, with multiple agencies still investigating him. Lalit Modi, who fled India in 2010 amid allegations of money laundering and tax evasion, also remains wanted under a non-bailable arrest warrant. The London video highlights the ongoing challenges Indian authorities face in securing extradition of high-profile fugitives.
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