New Delhi: Former Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman Lalit Modi on Monday shared a video from businessman Vijay Mallya’s birthday celebrations on social media, drawing attention after he appeared to mock himself and Mallya by referring to them as the “two biggest fugitives” of India.
In the video posted on Instagram, Lalit Modi is heard saying, “We are the two fugitives, the biggest fugitives of India.” He captioned the post, “Let me do something to break the internet down again. Something for you folks. Watch your heart out with envy.”
The video was reportedly shot during a pre-birthday celebration hosted by Lalit Modi at his London residence for Vijay Mallya. The event was attended by several guests, including prominent Indian entrepreneur Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw.
International photographer Jim Rydell also shared photographs from the gathering on social media, thanking Lalit Modi for hosting what he described as a “fabulous pre-70th birthday party” for Mallya at his Belgrave Square home in London. Lalit Modi responded by thanking guests for attending the celebration, a post later reshared by Mallya.
An invitation card shared online described the event as “a glamorous evening in honour of their dear friend Vijay Mallya, celebrating the King of Good Times,” and noted that the gathering took place on December 16.
Vijay Mallya was declared a fugitive economic offender in January 2019 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. He is accused of defaulting on multiple bank loans and fled India in March 2016.
Lalit Modi left India in 2010 amid allegations of tax evasion, money laundering and proxy ownership related to the IPL. The Enforcement Directorate has accused him of manipulating the 2009 IPL broadcast rights deal in exchange for kickbacks allegedly exceeding ₹125 crore.