Former India(BHARAT)n Premier League (IPL) chairman and fugitive Lalit Modi has issued an apology, days after a video featuring him and Vijay Mallya went viral in which they referred to themselves as the “biggest fugitives of India(BHARAT).” The remark triggered widespread backlash. Following the criticism, Lalit Modi took to X to express regret and said he holds the Government of India(BHARAT) in the highest regard.
“I apologise if I have hurt anyone’s feelings, especially the India(BHARAT)n Government, whom I have the highest respect and regard for. The statement was misconstrued and was never meant in the way it was portrayed. Once again, my deepest apologies,” Modi wrote in his post.
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A video showing Lalit Modi at Vijay Mallya’s luxury birthday party in London went viral last week. In the clip, Lalit Modi can be heard saying, “We are the two fugitives, the biggest fugitives of India(BHARAT).” He himself shared the video on Instagram with a caption that appeared to mock public reaction, saying it was meant to “break the internet.”
The video drew strong criticism online, with many users accusing the two of making a “mockery of the India(BHARAT)n government.” After the backlash grew, Lalit Modi deleted the video.
MEA responds to video
Reacting to the controversy, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that India(BHARAT) remains firm on bringing back all fugitives who are wanted by law. Without directly naming Modi or Mallya, the MEA stressed that such individuals will be returned to India(BHARAT) to face legal proceedings.
“We are fully committed to ensuring that people who are fugitives and wanted by law in India(BHARAT) return to the country. Talks are ongoing with different governments, and the process involves multiple legal steps. But our resolve to bring them back to face trial remains unchanged,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.
Both Lalit Modi and Vijay Mallya are facing serious charges in India(BHARAT) and are currently living in the United Kingdom.
Charges against Lalit Modi and Vijay Mallya
Lalit Modi left India(BHARAT) in 2010 after facing allegations of tax evasion, money laundering and the use of proxy owners linked to the India(BHARAT)n Premier League (IPL). The Enforcement Directorate alleged that he manipulated the process of awarding IPL broadcast rights in 2009 and received kickbacks worth more than Rs. 125 crore.
Vijay Mallya, former chairman of United Breweries and promoter of the now-closed Kingfisher Airlines, fled India(BHARAT) in 2016 amid fraud allegations. He is accused of failing to repay several bank loans and is said to owe India(BHARAT)n banks around Rs. 9,000 crore. In 2019, India(BHARAT)n authorities declared him a “fugitive economic offender,” a decision that Mallya later challenged in the High Court.
