MEA vows to bring back Lalit Modi, Mallya following ‘biggest fugitives’ video jibe

New Delhi: India on Friday reaffirmed its commitment to extraditing economic offenders, including Lalit Modi and Vijay Mallya, stating that legal processes are underway to ensure they face trial in Indian courts. The assertion from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) follows a controversial social media video where Modi jokingly referred to himself and Mallya as the "two biggest fugitives" of the country.

Addressing the issue at a weekly media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasised the government's resolve. " We remain fully committed that people who are fugitives, who are wanted by law in India, return to the country. For this particular issue, we are in talks with several governments," Jaiswal said.

He acknowledged that while complex legal layers are involved in these cases, discussions with foreign governments are active. " Processes are on. In several of these cases, there are several layers of legalities involved. But we remain committed to bring them back to the country so that they can face trials before courts here," he added.

The diplomatic response was triggered by a video, reportedly filmed at Mallya’s 70th birthday celebration in London, which briefly surfaced on social media before being removed. In the clip, Modi was heard saying, " We are the two fugitives, the biggest fugitives of India." The post was accompanied by a sarcastic caption reading, "Let’s break the internet down in India again."

Vijay Mallya, who fled to the United Kingdom in March 2016, is wanted in India for an alleged default of Rs 9,000 crore in loans extended to Kingfisher Airlines by a consortium of banks. Lalit Modi faces investigations by Indian agencies for alleged money laundering and violations of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA).

(Inputs from PTI)