Vijay Mallya Says ‘Fair Question’ After Journalist Flags Sandesara Brothers’ Bank Fraud Settlement

Fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya on Monday raised questions about the treatment of economic offenders while responding to journalist Sucheta Dalal’s post on social media platform X.

Mallya, who faces charges

of financial fraud in India, wrote a brief but pointed reply to Dalal’s comment: “Fair question – thank you.”

Dalal had shared a report highlighting that the Supreme Court had agreed to drop criminal charges against the Sandesara brothers, Nitin and Chetan, if they agreed to pay one-third of their $1.6 billion bank fraud dues.

In her post, Dalal expressed disbelief over the settlement, stating, “Unbelievable. These guys have loads of oil money and thriving in Nigeria. Yet India’s top court agrees to $570 million settlement by Sandesara family? Why is @TheVijayMallya treated differently ? They will pay only 1/3rd? Profitable to default in india- so long as you have money for legal fees.”

Unbelievable. These guys have loads of oil money and thriving in Nigeria. Yet India’s top court agrees to $570 million settlement by Sandasera family? Why is @TheVijayMallya treated differently ? They will pay only 1/3rd? Profitable to default in india- so long as you have money…

— Sucheta Dalal (@suchetadalal) November 24, 2025

The Sandesara brothers, who ran a conglomerate with interests in pharmaceuticals and energy, fled India in 2017 after being accused of defrauding Indian banks. They were charged with defaulting on domestic loans worth over $1.6 billion.

The brothers have denied any wrongdoing, and their lawyer, Mukul Rohatgi, said today that they are willing to pay $570 million as part of a settlement to end the legal proceedings.

The Sandesara brothers are among the 14 individuals designated as ‘fugitive economic offenders’ under India’s 2018 law, which allows the freezing of their assets. Despite this, they remain free, with reports suggesting they are currently based in Nigeria.

Mallya, on the other hand, has been living in the United Kingdom since 2016, where he faces extradition proceedings. He is accused of defaulting on loans exceeding Rs 9,000 crore, given to his now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines.

Although a UK court approved his extradition in 2018, Mallya has resisted returning to India, arguing that he would not receive a fair trial in the country.

(With inputs from agencies)