‘We’re Biggest Fugitives Of India’: Lalit Modi In Video With Vijay Mallya From London Party

A fresh video showing former Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman Lalit Modi celebrating with fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya in London triggered widespread criticism on social media, after Lalit Modi referred to the two as India’s “biggest fugitives”.

The video, shared by Lalit Modi on his Instagram account, shows the former IPL chief and Vijay Mallya at a birthday celebration in London. In the clip, Lalit Modi is heard introducing himself and Vijay Mallya as “the two fugitives, the biggest fugitives of India”. He captioned the post, “Let’s break the internet down in India again. Happy birthday my friend #VijayMallya. Love u,” drawing sharp reactions online.

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A post shared by Lalit Modi (@lalitkmodi)

India has been seeking the extradition of

both Lalit Modi and Vijay Mallya for several years. Lalit Modi left India in 2010 amid allegations of financial irregularities linked to the IPL, while Vijay Mallya fled the country in March 2016 as legal troubles mounted following the collapse of Kingfisher Airlines.

This is not the first time Lalit Modi and Vijay Mallya have shared images or videos of themselves socialising abroad. Earlier this month, Lalit Modi hosted a lavish pre-70th birthday celebration for Vijay Mallya at his London residence and shared details of the event on social media. Describing it as an “amazing celebration,” Lalit Modi referred to Vijay Mallya as the “King of Goodtimes” and said friends and family had flown in from across the world for the occasion.

Photographs from the event were also shared online by photographer Jim Rydell, who thanked Lalit Modi for hosting what he described as a “fabulous” party. Lalit Modi later acknowledged the guests in a post, again referring to Vijay Mallya as his friend.

Lalit Modi, a key architect of the Indian Premier League, was removed as IPL chairman in 2010 following allegations of bid rigging, money laundering and financial misconduct. The Enforcement Directorate accused him of manipulating IPL broadcast rights in 2009 in exchange for kickbacks.

Vijay Mallya was declared a Fugitive Economic Offender in January 2019 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. He is accused of fraud and money laundering linked to bank loans exceeding Rs 9,000 crore and continues to contest his extradition from the United Kingdom.