“Not a Chor, Just a Fugitive”: Vijay Mallya Defends Himself in Podcast

“Not a Chor, Just a Fugitive”: Vijay Mallya Defends Himself in Podcast

Last Updated Jun - 06 - 2025, 05:14 PM | Source : Fela News

Businessman Vijay Mallya, in a podcast, said “Call me a fugitive but not a chor,” addressing fraud charges, his exit from India, Kingfisher’s collapse, and his

Business tycoon Vijay Mallya, accused of defrauding Indian banks of over ₹9,000 crore, recently addressed allegations against him in a four-hour podcast hosted by entrepreneur Raj Shamani. Speaking publicly for the first time in years, the former Kingfisher Airlines chief claimed that he left India on a scheduled trip in 2016 and never returned due to concerns over fairness in the legal system. “If you want to call me a fugitive, go ahead,” he said, “but where is the ‘chori’?”

Mallya, who has been living in the UK since 2016, asserted that he would consider returning to India if guaranteed a fair trial and dignified treatment. He cited a UK court ruling that found Indian detention conditions incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights. Despite these concerns, the Indian government has not yet responded to his recent statements. Meanwhile, Mallya continues to resist extradition, arguing that the judicial process in India is biased and that his legal rights would be compromised.

Reflecting on the downfall of Kingfisher Airlines, Mallya blamed the 2008 global financial crisis and claimed he was advised against downsizing despite the company’s financial strain. He said banks promised support that never fully materialized. Mallya’s legal troubles have escalated, with a UK court recently upholding a bankruptcy order linked to a ₹11,101 crore debt. In India, he has sought judicial intervention to assess recovered funds, claiming lenders have already retrieved more than the original loan amount. Despite this, extradition efforts remain ongoing as authorities aim to bring him back to face trial.

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