Former Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman Lalit Modi issued an apology to the Indian government following a video where he referred to himself and Vijay Mallya as the “biggest fugitives.” Modi expressed regret for any hurt caused, emphasizing his respect for the Indian government and clarifying that his statement was misconstrued. The apology came after a video from Mallya’s birthday party in London, where Modi made the controversial remark, went viral.
Modi’s video captioned “We are the two fugitives, the biggest fugitives of India” sparked online criticism, with many accusing him and Mallya of undermining the Indian government and legal system. In response to the backlash, Modi removed the video from his social media account. The Ministry of External Affairs indirectly addressed the issue, reaffirming India’s commitment to bringing back fugitives to face justice.
Both Lalit Modi and Vijay Mallya, facing serious charges in India, have been residing in the United Kingdom for years. Lalit Modi left India in 2010 amidst allegations of tax evasion and money laundering related to the IPL. Vijay Mallya, known for financial fraud allegations, fled India in 2016. Indian authorities declared Mallya a “fugitive economic offender” in 2019, a status he is contesting in court. The two businessmen were last seen together at Lalit Modi’s summer party in London, singing “My Way.”
