Vijay Mallya, the alleged fugitive businessman currently residing in London, has reiterated claims of being a victim of injustice perpetrated by the Indian government. In a series of posts made late on September 6, local time, he expressed that he is living abroad due to ongoing legal processes in the UK.

In his posts, Mallya referenced recent protests led by the Chief Justice of India, claiming that he continues to endure unfair treatment. He expressed a moment of despair, stating, “With all the injustices I have faced and continue to face, I wonder if I should become a cockroach. Maybe a better life on the cockroach side.” This metaphor underscores his feelings of helplessness in the face of his circumstances.

Debt Recovery Claims by Enforcement Directorate

Mallya alleged that the Enforcement Directorate (ED), in an affidavit submitted to the Bombay High Court, acknowledged that it had recovered Rs 14,000 crore from him, which was subsequently paid to the banks he owed debt to. He claimed that this information supported his argument against being labelled a fugitive.

Further emphasising his stance, Mallya contended that repayment to the banks is not contingent upon his physical presence in India. He acknowledged the mixed reactions his tweets received, stating, “Thank you all for your mixed replies to my tweets. Love and hate go hand in hand.” Mallya aimed to clarify misunderstandings regarding his status as a permanent resident in the UK since 1992.

Legal Status and Ongoing Court Proceedings

Mallya stated that he is legally prohibited from leaving the UK and responded to critics who labelled him a “bhagoda,” or fugitive. He insisted that the label is unjust given his residency status. “All this started with poster boy actions by the Government of India who have been grossly unjust in my case,” he posted on social media platform X.

Citing a section of the ED’s affidavit, Mallya noted that the agency reported a recovery amount of Rs 14,131.60 crore in 2021. He expressed frustration at still being termed a fraud despite the recovery, indicating that five years on from the events, he continues to face severe public scrutiny.

Additionally, he shared a table that purportedly outlines the statements of account regarding the recovery, questioning whether he deserves the negative portrayal in media narratives. “To all who believe in fair and proper accounting justice please see the following table,” he stated, indicating that he deserves acknowledgment rather than vilification.

In October 2025, the Indian Minister of State for Finance, Pankaj Chaudhary, informed the Lok Sabha that a total of fifteen individuals, including Mallya, have been declared Fugitive Economic Offenders under the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018. Furthermore, the Bombay High Court rebuked Mallya in February 2023 for attempting to evade court proceedings, granting him one final opportunity to express his intent regarding returning to India.

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