We are biggest fugitives of India: Lalit Modi shares video with Vijay Mallya, draws flak

New Delhi: A video shared by fugitive businessman Lalit Modi from Vijay Mallya's birthday party has triggered strong political reactions and widespread criticism on social media after the two were seen jokingly referring to themselves as India's "biggest fugitives".

The video, posted by Lalit Modi on his official Instagram account, shows him and Mallya partying in London. In the clip, Lalit Modi is heard saying, "We are the two fugitives, the biggest fugitives of India." He captioned the video: "Let me do something to break the internet down again. Something for you folks. Watch your heart out with envy."

The post quickly went viral, drawing strong reactions from users online. Several criticised the apparent mockery of Indian authorities, while others questioned the government's inability to bring the two businessmen back to India.

"What a mockery they have made of the Indian government," wrote one user, while another commented, "They are laughing at Indian agencies." Some users also blamed law enforcement agencies, questioning the effectiveness of action against economic offenders.

The video has also sparked a political response. Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Anand Dubey criticised the clip, alleging that the two fugitives were openly mocking India's democracy by celebrating abroad while facing serious charges in India. He questioned the role of enforcement agencies and asked who was preventing action against the two businessmen, who he said had fled the country after defaulting on loans worth crores of rupees.

Dubey said it was troubling that ordinary citizens face action for minor loan defaults, while high-profile economic offenders were able to live freely overseas and share videos on social media without consequence.

The controversy comes amid ongoing legal proceedings involving Mallya. Earlier on Monday, the Bombay High Court asked Mallya to clarify when he intended to return to India, and told his counsel that it would not hear his plea challenging the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act unless he first submitted himself to the court's jurisdiction.

Mallya, who has been based in the United Kingdom since 2016, has filed two petitions before the high court, one challenging the order declaring him a fugitive economic offender and another questioning the constitutional validity of the 2018 Act. Extradition proceedings against him are currently at an advanced stage.

A special court under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) declared Mallya a fugitive economic offender in January 2019. He is accused of defaulting on multiple loan repayments and faces money laundering charges. He left India in March 2016.

Lalit Modi, the former chairman and founding commissioner of the Indian Premier League (IPL), left India in 2010 amid allegations of tax evasion, money laundering and financial irregularities. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has accused him of manipulating the IPL's 2009 broadcast rights process, allegedly receiving kickbacks exceeding Rs 125 crore.