Social media stood witness to a rare phenomenon on Wednesday as two fugitives of Indian law -- Vijay Mallya, the ex-owner of the now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines and Indian Premier League founder Lalit Modi -- exchanged pleasantries.
On the occasion of the 69th birthday of Vijay Mallya, who is currently in the UK and is contesting his extradition to India, Lalit Modi took to X to wish his "friend" and also mentioned the commonality of the problems being faced by both of them.
"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," Modi wrote, tagging Mallya.
Mallya was quick to respond as he thanked his "dearest friend" and shared how both had been "wronged by a country they tried to contribute to".
"Thank you my dearest friend….we both have been wronged in a Country we tried to contribute to," Mallya wrote replying to Modi.
Notably, Mallya and Modi are both fugitives from Indian law. Mallya, accused of money laundering and fraud, owes Indian banks over Rs 9,000 crore. He fled India in 2016 to the UK as the noose tightened around him and has been residing in the country ever since.
Lalit Modi also faces allegations of financial irregularities during his tenure as IPL Chairman and is accused of transferring Rs 243.45 crore to Cricket South Africa ahead of the 2009 IPL without the requisite RBI approval and in contravention of the FEMA rules. He was show-caused by the ED in 2011. He fled India to the UK in 2010.
On Tuesday, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman informed Parliament that Public Sector Banks have recovered Rs 14,131.6 crore through the sale of Mallya's assets.
Responding to the FM's statement, Mallya took to X and claimed that he was entitled to relief since Indian agencies had already recovered twice the amount that he owed to banks.
"The Debt Recovery Tribunal adjudged the KFA debt at Rs 6203 crores, including Rs 1200 crores of interest. The FM announced in Parliament that through the ED, banks have recovered Rs 14,131.60 crores from me against the judgment debt of Rs 6203 crores and I am still an economic offender," he wrote on X.
“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," he added.
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