Beleaguered liquor baron Vijay Mallya, facing charges of fraud and money laundering in India, on Thursday claimed that banks have recovered Rs 14,100 crore from him against his debt of Rs 6,203 crore. The former owner of RCB and Kingfisher Airlines also reiterated that he was being discriminated against as opposed to other defaulters who received relief from banks. Mallya had made similar claims in December 2024 and last February.
Mallya was responding to a post by RPG Group chairperson Harsh Goenka, who questioned why Mallya was always made the "political punching bag" despite having repaid thousands of crores of his debt.
In a post dedicated to the "king of good times" -- as Mallya was referred to during his best years in India -- Goenka wrote, "Vijay Mallya lived the high life, yes. Defaulted, yes. Unlike most others, his Rs 9,000+ crore dues are now reportedly settled. Meanwhile, bigger defaulters walk free with much fatter haircuts from banks. If dues remain, the banks should clearly say so. If not, why is he still a political punching bag?" He added that justice must be fair, not selective.
Mallya thanked Goenka for his support and added, "The Union Finance Ministry has confirmed in writing that Banks have recovered Rs 14,100 crores from me against a DRT judgement debt of Rs 6,203 crore. Why the blatant discrimination?"
Mallya has been fighting legal battles stemming from a default on loans taken by Kingfisher Airlines. He has been living in the UK since 2016 and is currently also fighting extradition. Recently, after his former IPL franchise, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), lifted their maiden trophy, Mallya got trolled on X after he recollected founding the team and selecting some of the team's key players, including Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle, and AB de Villiers.
"When I founded RCB, it was my dream that the IPL trophy should come to Bengaluru. I had the privilege of picking the legendary King Kohli as a youngster and it is remarkable that he has stayed with RCB for 18 years," Mallya wrote. He also credited himself for picking "the Universe Boss" Chris Gayle and "Mr 360 AB DeVillers who remain an indelible part of RCB history".
"Finally, the IPL trophy arrives in Bengaluru. Congratulations and thanks again to all who made my dream come true. RCB fans are the very best, and they deserve the IPL trophy. Ee Sala Cup Bengaluru baruthe!" he added.
Mallya's post received more than 1.6 million views, and amid celebrations, it prompted netizens to ask him if he would return to celebrate with RCB.
"Now it's your turn to make SBI's dream come true, Sir. Laut aao (come back)," X user Dr Khushboo (@khushbookadri) commented on Mallya's post. "Come back and celebrate with the fans, Mallya sahab. We will all lift you on our shoulders and dance together outside SBI," added Sameer Allana (@HitmanCricket).
Even Harsh Goenka could not help but roast Mallya, only to voice his support a day later.
Vijay Mallya approached Karnataka High Court in February
In February, Mallya approached the Karnataka High Court, requesting clarity on the loan recovery process undertaken by banks. According to a report by ANI, his counsel, senior advocate Sajan Poovayya, claimed that despite the repayment of nearly Rs 6,200 crore, banks have already recovered Rs 14,000 crore. He was seeking a detailed statement from the banks outlining the total amount recovered.
Mallya also complained of being treated as an economic offender despite the recovery of this amount. In a post on X, he said that unless the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and banks can legally justify the recovery of more than double the debt, he is entitled to relief, which he planned to pursue.
The Debt Recovery Tribunal had adjudged the Kingfisher Airlines debt at Rs 6,203 crore, including Rs 1,200 crore in interest.
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