NEW DELHI: Vijay Mallya, declared a fugitive by the federal government, quipped on X about “changing into a cockroach”, questioning if he could have a “higher life on the cockroach aspect” as he cried “injustice” over legal action linked to his financial institution dues.Mallya, who resides in London, made the remarks whereas responding to the authorized proceedings towards him and defending his place on the restoration of cash owed to banks by his now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines.“With all of the injustices I’ve confronted and proceed to face, I’m wondering if I ought to change into a cockroach. Perhaps a greater life on the cockroach aspect,” he wrote on X.He cited an Enforcement Directorate (ED) affidavit that he claimed was filed earlier than the Bombay excessive courtroom and alleged that the company had confirmed the restoration of greater than Rs 14,000 crore and its switch to banks.“And should I say once more, affidavit filed in courtroom by probably the most feared felony company the Enforcement Directorate confirms that they handed over Rs 14,000 plus crores to the Banks in 2021. Neglect what I say when you don’t belief me. Concentrate on what the Enforcement Directorate mentioned,” he alleged.
Mallya questions his ‘fugitive’ tag
Mallya additionally argued that compensation of financial institution dues mustn’t rely on his bodily presence in India.“Thanks all to your combined replies to my tweets. Love and hate go hand in hand and I respectfully settle for that while humbly accepting your opinions. However for many who don’t perceive the distinction between everlasting residency and citizenship and for many who assume that repayments are primarily based on bodily presence, please assume once more,” he claimed.A day earlier, he had mentioned he was legally unable to go away the UK, the place he claimed to have been a everlasting resident since 1992.“For all who say I’m a bhagoda refusing to return to India, please bear in mind that I’ve been a everlasting resident of the UK since 1992 and am at present legally prohibited from leaving this nation. All this began with poster boy actions by the Authorities of India who’ve been grossly unjust in my case,” he mentioned within the publish on X.
Mentions Rs 14,131.60 crore restoration
Mallya posted what he described as an extract from an ED affidavit filed earlier than the Bombay Excessive Courtroom and pointed to the determine of Rs 14,131.60 crore.“Affidavit filed by the ED within the Hon’ble Bombay Excessive Courtroom. Para 7 is the decreed debt and Para 17 reveals recovered Rs 14,131.60 crore in 2021 !! 5 years on I’m nonetheless known as a fraud who cheated the Banks,” he mentioned.He additionally shared a desk that he claimed confirmed the restoration made in his case and questioned why he continued to be described as a fraudster.“To all who imagine in truthful and correct accounting justice please see the next desk. Do I nonetheless deserve the way in which I’m berated by the media and known as a fraudster on the very outset of a journalist’s script ? Why not begin asking when I’ll get my refund,” he mentioned.
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The ‘fugitive’ tag
Mallya was amongst 15 folks declared Fugitive Financial Offenders beneath the Fugitive Financial Offenders Act, 2018, in response to a press release made by MoS Finance Pankaj Chaudhary within the Lok Sabha in October 2025. The checklist additionally included Nirav Modi.In February this 12 months, the Bombay Excessive Courtroom criticised Mallya and mentioned he couldn’t search equitable aid whereas intentionally avoiding courtroom proceedings. The courtroom gave him a remaining alternative to make clear whether or not he supposed to return to India.Mallya’s petition challenges the Fugitive Financial Offenders Act and his declaration as a fugitive financial offender.