The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday responded to a viral video from London in which IPL founder Lalit Modi described himself and Vijay Mallya as the “two biggest fugitives” from India. Addressing reporters at the weekly media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the government continues to pursue the return of fugitives through diplomatic and legal channels. “We remain fully committed that people who are fugitive and are wanted by law in India, they return to the country. For this particular return, we are in talks with several governments, and processes are on,” Jaiswal said.
He noted that such cases involve complex legal procedures across jurisdictions but underlined that India’s position remains unchanged. “As you know, in several of these cases, several layers of legalities are involved. But we remain committed to bring them back to the country so they can face trials before the court here,” he added.
#WATCH | Delhi: On being asked about fugitives Lalit Modi and Vijay Mallya, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, "We remain fully committed that people who are fugitives and wanted by law in India, return to the country. For this, we are in talks with several governments and… https://t.co/Qvc71IDLJ7 pic.twitter.com/a8oAmGnXW1
— ANI (@ANI) December 26, 2025
Viral ‘fugitives’ video
The MEA’s reaction came days after Lalit Modi posted a video on Instagram (now deleted) from Mallya’s 70th birthday celebrations in London. In the clip, Modi referred to himself and Mallya as the “two biggest fugitives from India”. Sharing the video, he wrote, “Let me do something to break the internet again. Happy birthday my friend #VijayMallya. Love u.”
The birthday celebration was hosted by Modi at his six-bedroom residence in London’s Belgrave Square. Several of Mallya’s associates were reported to have travelled from India to attend the event.
This was not the first occasion on which Lalit Modi has talked about his association with Vijay Mallya. In an earlier post, Modi described the gathering as a special occasion held at his residence, attended by friends and family who had travelled from different parts of the world. “An amazing celebration for my dear friend Vijay Mallya at my house last night for all his friends and family who flew in from all corners of the world. Another cornerstone achieved by the King of Goodtimes – his 70th birthday. Wish him all the happiness and success,” he wrote.
Businessmen-turned-fugitives
Vijay Mallya is the former owner of the now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines and had earlier owned the Bengaluru franchise in the IPL. He left India for the United Kingdom in 2016 after multiple cases were filed against him over alleged financial irregularities and loan defaults involving thousands of crores of rupees.
Lalit Modi, a former cricket administrator and the founder of the IPL, left India in 2010 after investigations were initiated into alleged financial misconduct and irregularities during the league’s early years.
