On Monday, Lalit Modi, the founding commissioner of the Indian Premier League, shared a video from Vijay Mallya’s birthday party in which he called himself and Mallya the “two biggest fugitives of India.” In the clip, Modi says, “We are the two fugitives, the biggest fugitives of India,” and captioned the post on Instagram, “Let me do something to break the internet down again. Something for you folks. Wat your heart out with envy.”
The video quickly drew criticism on social media. Many users condemned Modi and Mallya for mocking the Indian government. One comment read, “Indian law shame that they dare to make such a video,” while another said, “They are laughing at Indian CBI/ED.” Others expressed frustration over the state of affairs, saying, “What a mockery they have made of Indian government.”
Vijay Mallya was declared a Fugitive Economic Offender in January 2019 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. He left India in March 2016 after defaulting on multiple loans and facing money laundering charges. Lalit Modi left the country in 2010 amid allegations of tax evasion, money laundering, and irregularities related to IPL broadcasting rights. The Enforcement Directorate has accused him of manipulating the 2009 IPL broadcast assignments in exchange for a kickback of over ₹125 crore.
The video has sparked renewed debate about the accountability of high-profile fugitives and the challenges faced by authorities in pursuing cases against them.
