Vijay Mallya, the former liquor baron and owner of the defunct Kingfisher Airlines, recently responded to a birthday message from his “dearest friend” Lalit Modi, the founder of the Indian Premier League (IPL). In his reply, Mallya claimed that both he and Modi had been “wronged” by the very country they sought to contribute to.
On December 18, Lalit Modi, who is also classified as a fugitive, extended his birthday wishes to Vijay Mallya on the social media platform X. Modi wrote:
“Wishing you my friend #VijayMallya a very #happybirthday – life sure has its ups and downs we have both seen it. This too shall pass. May the year ahead be your year. And you are surrounded by love and laughter. Big big hug.”
Responding to the heartfelt message, Mallya said:
“Thank you my dearest friend….we both have been wronged in a Country we tried to contribute to.”
Both Mallya and Modi are currently residing in the UK after fleeing India amid allegations of financial misconduct.
Earlier in the day, Mallya criticized Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s statement in the Lok Sabha, where she claimed that Indian banks had recovered ₹14,131.60 crore from him, far exceeding the loans owed by Kingfisher Airlines.
In a series of posts on X, Mallya questioned the legitimacy of the recovery claims:
“The Debt Recovery Tribunal adjudged the KFA debt at ₹6203 crores including ₹1200 crores of interest. The FM announced in Parliament that through the ED, banks have recovered ₹14,131.60 crores from me against the judgement debt of ₹6203 crores and I am still an economic offender.”
Mallya further alleged that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and banks had taken over twice the loaned amount without legal justification:
“Unless the ED and banks can legally justify how they have taken more than two times the debt, I am entitled to relief which I will pursue.”
Both Lalit Modi and Vijay Mallya are classified as fugitives by Indian authorities. Modi left India in 2010 following allegations of financial irregularities during the 2009 IPL season, while Mallya fled to the UK in 2016 amidst mounting debts and legal troubles over Kingfisher Airlines.
Their public exchange highlights their shared grievances against India’s legal and financial systems, adding another chapter to their controversial histories.
While Mallya continues to challenge the claims against him, his interaction with Lalit Modi offers a glimpse into their shared narrative of exile and alleged injustice. As the debate over financial accountability and legal processes continues, both remain central figures in India’s high-profile fugitive cases.
