The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has reaffirmed the Indian government's commitment to bringing back all fugitives who have fled the country and are evading the law. This statement follows a viral video featuring Lalit Modi and Vijay Mallya, where Modi mockingly referred to them as "the two biggest fugitives of India". The video, which sparked outrage on social media, showed the two at Mallya's 70th birthday celebration in London.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal addressed the media on Friday, stating that the government is actively engaging with multiple countries to secure the return of economic offenders. He acknowledged the complex legal procedures involved but asserted, "We remain fully committed that people who are fugitives and wanted by law in India return to the country... there are several layers of legalities involved, but we remain committed to bringing them back so that they can face trial before the courts here".
Lalit Modi, the former IPL commissioner, has been living abroad since 2010 amid allegations of tax evasion, money laundering, and irregularities linked to the IPL. The Enforcement Directorate has alleged that Modi manipulated the IPL's 2009 broadcast rights deal in exchange for kickbacks exceeding ₹125 crore. Vijay Mallya, the former liquor baron, has been residing in the UK since he left India in March 2016, facing charges related to defaulting on multiple bank loans and money laundering. Mallya was declared a Fugitive Economic Offender in January 2019 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The video shared by Lalit Modi on Instagram, with the caption "Let's break the internet down in India again. Happy birthday my friend #VijayMallya," drew sharp criticism online. Social media users accused the duo of openly ridiculing Indian law enforcement agencies, with comments like "What a mockery they have made of the Indian government". Some questioned the authorities' inability to bring them back to India.
The government informed the Lok Sabha that, as of October 31, 2025, a total of 15 individuals have been declared Fugitive Economic Offenders (FEOs) under the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018. Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary stated that nine of these offenders are involved in large-scale financial frauds against public sector banks. The list includes high-profile individuals such as Vijay Mallya and Nirav Modi. According to the government, these 15 FEOs have collectively caused a principal loss of ₹26,645 crore to banks. Interest accrued on these loans from the date they became non-performing assets up to October 31, 2025, amounts to an additional ₹31,437 crore. The government also informed Parliament that ₹19,187 crore has been recovered from these offenders till October 31, 2025.
The MEA maintains that the public display of such videos does not alter the government's stance or efforts. Officials emphasized that India is determined to ensure that economic offenders are held accountable under the law, regardless of the time or complexity involved. The viral video has reignited public debate regarding the pace of extradition proceedings and the challenges faced by Indian authorities in bringing fugitive offenders back to the country. The government insists it will continue to pursue all legal remedies available under international law.
