Industrialist Harsh Goenka has reignited debate around fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya, questioning whether justice is being applied selectively. In a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), the RPG Enterprises Chairman called on banks to clarify if Mallya’s debts have been fully recovered, and if so, why he continues to be a “political punching bag.”
“Vijay Mallya lived the high life, yes. Defaulted, yes. Unlike most others, his ₹9,000+ crore dues are now reportedly settled. Meanwhile, bigger defaulters walk free with much fatter haircuts from banks. If dues remain, the banks should clearly say so. If not, why is he still a political punching bag? Justice must be fair, not selective,” Goenka wrote.
Vijay Mallya lived the high life, yes. Defaulted, yes. Unlike most others, his ₹9,000+ crore dues are now reportedly settled. Meanwhile, bigger defaulters walk free with much fatter haircuts from banks. If dues remain, the banks should clearly say so. If not, why is he still a…
— Harsh Goenka (@hvgoenka) June 5, 2025
Vijay Mallya responded to Goenka’s remarks, thanking the industrialist and reiterating his long-standing claim that Indian banks had already recovered more than what was owed. “The Union Finance Ministry has confirmed in writing that Banks have recovered Rs 14,100 crores from me against a DRT judgement debt of Rs 6,203 crores. Why the blatant discrimination?” Mallya posted on X.
Mallya, accused of fraud and money laundering, fled India in 2016 and has been living in the UK since. He has been fighting extradition while simultaneously claiming that his dues have not only been repaid but overpaid. In court filings earlier this year, Mallya told the Karnataka High Court that ₹14,131.8 crore had been recovered from him and associated companies—more than double the original judgment debt.
According to the Union Finance Ministry, the Enforcement Directorate has recovered ₹22,280 crore from various bank fraud cases, including those linked to Mallya.