New Delhi: The Indian government reaffirmed its resolve to bring back all fugitives facing criminal charges, after a controversial social media video featuring Lalit Modi and Vijay Mallya triggered sharp criticism and political backlash.
Reacting to the now-deleted Instagram post, the Ministry of External Affairs said India remains actively engaged with foreign governments to secure the return of individuals wanted by Indian law.
The video, shared earlier this week, showed Lalit Modi and Vijay Mallya together, with Lalit Modi audibly calling them “the two biggest fugitives of India.” The caption, widely seen as a taunt, read: “Let me do something to break the internet down again… Watch your heart out with envy.” The post circulated widely before being taken down, fuelling questions over India’s extradition efforts.
This is how Fugitives Lalit Modi and Vijay Mallya are making mockery of Indian Govt and Judiciary. pic.twitter.com/ckAm9P0TD9
— NCMIndia Council For Men Affairs (@NCMIndiaa) December 23, 2025
Addressing the issue during a media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the government’s position remains firm.
“We are fully committed to ensuring that those who are fugitives and wanted by law in India are brought back to face trial. Discussions with several governments are ongoing, and legal processes are underway,” he said.
Jaiswal acknowledged that extradition cases often involve prolonged and complex legal proceedings. “There are multiple layers of legalities in such matters, but our commitment to bringing them back and ensuring they face Indian courts remains unchanged,” he added.
Lalit Modi, 62, left India in 2010 following allegations of financial irregularities, money laundering and tax evasion linked to the Indian Premier League, which he helped establish. He was declared a fugitive economic offender in 2019.
Vijay Mallya, 69, former chairman of United Breweries and promoter of the defunct Kingfisher Airlines, fled India in 2016 amid allegations of fraud and massive loan defaults. Also declared a fugitive economic offender in 2019, Mallya is accused of owing Indian banks nearly ₹9,000 crore.
Both men are currently based in the United Kingdom, where their high-profile lifestyles and social media appearances have repeatedly drawn public anger in India. The latest video has once again put the spotlight on the long-running legal battle to bring economic offenders back to face justice.
