We're biggest fugitives: Lalit Modi mocks India in new video with Vijay Mallya

A new video has surfaced showing former Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman Lalit Modi partying with fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya in London. In the video, Lalit Modi can be heard sarcastically introducing himself and Mallya as the “biggest fugitives of India,” a remark widely seen as mocking the country.

Lalit Modi shared the video on his Instagram account with the caption: “Let’s break the internet down in India again. Happy birthday my friend #VijayMallya. Love u”, highlighting his unabashed display of camaraderie with the fugitive businessman.

The post has been widely seen as a brazen mockery of the Indian government, which has been seeking the extradition of both Lalit Modi and Vijay Mallya for years. While Lalit Modi left India in 2010, while Mallya fled in 2016. One of the comments on the Instagram post read: “What a mockery they have made of the Indian government.” Have a look at the video:

This is not the first time the two fugitives have shared videos of themselves partying together; in fact, it has now become a recurring trend.

Earlier this month, Lalit Modi had also hosted a lavish birthday celebration in London for fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya, drawing widespread attention after Modi shared details of the event on social media platform X.

Lalit Modi described the gathering at his residence as an “amazing celebration,” attended by friends and family who had reportedly flown in from around the world. Referring to Mallya as the “King of Goodtimes,” he called the occasion a “cornerstone achieved” as the former liquor baron turned 70, wishing him happiness and success.

Photographer Jim Rydell also shared a picture of Modi and Mallya on X, thanking Modi for hosting a "fabulous pre-70th birthday party" in Mallya’s honour. Lalit Modi later acknowledged the attendees in a post, referring to Mallya as his friend and thanking everyone for joining the celebration.

The guest list reportedly included Biocon founder Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, actor Idris Elba, and fashion designer Manoviraj Khosla, with photos showing Mazumdar-Shaw posing with Khosla and chatting with Elba.

The pictures quickly went viral on social media, with users criticizing both Modi and Mallya for enjoying a lavish party despite evading Indian authorities for years.

Lalit Modi, a key architect of the Indian Premier League, left India in 2010 after being removed as IPL chairman amid allegations of financial irregularities, including bid rigging and money laundering.

Vijay Mallya followed suit in March 2016, fleeing India as legal troubles mounted after the collapse of Kingfisher Airlines. He is wanted by Indian authorities on charges of fraud and money laundering related to bank loans exceeding Rs 9,000 crore and has been living in the United Kingdom since, where he continues to contest his extradition to India.

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