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London. Liquor businessman Vijay Mallya has once again raised questions on calling himself a 'fugitive'. Mallya said on social media platform X that I am not running away from returning to India. Those who call me a fugitive should understand that I have been a permanent resident of the UK since 1992. Currently, there is a legal ban on leaving the country. The Government of India did grave injustice to me.

Why is Mallya called a fugitive in India?

Vijay Mallya has been declared a fugitive economic offender in the records of the Government of India. In October 2025, Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary had told the Lok Sabha that 15 people have been declared fugitive economic offenders under the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018. Many famous names including Vijay Mallya and Nirav Modi are included in this list.

This is the reason why Mallya is seen as a fugitive economic offender in India. However, Mallya is now questioning this identity. He says that his stay in Britain is not in any way an attempt to escape from India, but is a result of the legal situation going on against him.

What has the Indian government said on Mallya's return?

The stand of the Government of India has already been clear in this matter. In December 2025, the Ministry of External Affairs had said that the government is committed to bringing back people wanted under the law in India. The Ministry had acknowledged that many legal procedures are involved in such cases. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had said that the government is in talks with many countries in this matter and the process is going on. He said that the government is trying to ensure that people wanted in economic crime cases return to India and face trial in the courts here.

Why did Mallya claim recovery of Rs 14,131 crore?

Vijay Mallya had made another post on Tuesday. In this he cited an alleged affidavit filed by the Enforcement Directorate in the Bombay High Court. Mallya claims that a part of this affidavit mentions the recovery of Rs 14,131.60 crore from him in 2021.

Mallya raised the question that if such a huge amount has been recovered from him, then why is he still presented as an accused of bank fraud. He also shared a statement of account table. Through this he said that now the question should be when will they get their money back.

Vijay Mallya also claimed that the ED had released more than Rs 350 crore from his attached fund to make payments to Kingfisher employees. He says that due to his properties and funds being attached, he could not pay the employees himself.

What is the stand of the court in Mallya's case?

Bombay High Court has also taken a strict stance in the case of Vijay Mallya. In February 2026, the court had reprimanded him and said that he was deliberately avoiding court proceedings. The court had said that in such a situation he cannot demand relief on the basis of equality.

The high court had also given Mallya a last chance to clarify whether he intended to return to India. Mallya's petition challenges the constitutional validity of the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act and the action of declaring him a fugitive. A bench headed by Chief Justice Chandrashekhar had said that it was in favor of recording that Mallya was evading the jurisdiction of the court. In such a situation, he cannot expect relief in his petition.

Big things to the case

Mallya claims that he has been a permanent resident of Britain since 1992 and is currently legally barred from leaving Britain.
In October 2025, the government told the Lok Sabha that 15 people have been declared fugitive economic offenders, including Mallya and Nirav Modi.
In December 2025, the Ministry of External Affairs had said that India is pursuing legal process with different countries to bring back wanted economic offenders.
Citing the alleged affidavit of ED, Mallya has claimed to recover Rs 14,131.60 crore by 2021.
Vijay Mallya had also claimed in August that banks and the government have recovered Rs 14,100 crore from him, while the judgment date is Rs 6,203 crore.
Mallya claims that the ED had released more than Rs 350 crore from his attached fund for payment to Kingfisher employees.
In February 2026, the Bombay High Court had reprimanded Mallya for avoiding court proceedings and sought a clear answer on his intention to return to India.