Fugitive businessperson Vijay Mallya took to social media on Wednesday with a series of posts challenging accusations of evading Indian authorities. According to reports from ANI, Mallya wrote that he wonders if he should become a cockroach given the injustices he faces, without elaborating further on the remark. The posts came days after Mallya asserted that he remains legally barred from leaving the United Kingdom. Mallya emphasized that he has been a permanent resident of the United Kingdom since 1992 and is currently legally prohibited from leaving this country, stating that all this started with poster boy actions by the Government of India who have been grossly unjust in his case. In his latest posts, Mallya responded to mixed reactions saying he respectfully accepts opinions but clarified the difference between permanent residency and citizenship, noting that repayments are not based on physical presence.
In its latest affidavit filed on September 8, 2026, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) confirmed that movable and immovable properties worth ₹14,131.60 crore were handed over to the SBI-led consortium. As reported by NDTV, the ED emphasized that this recovery does not cancel or lead to the dropping of money laundering charges against Mallya. The agency stated that Mallya left India in March 2016 and did not appear before the investigating authority despite repeated summons, with a non-bailable warrant also issued against him. In November 2016, the high-profile businessman was declared a proclaimed offender. The ED specifically noted that Mallya continues to evade the process of law and has not returned to India or submitted himself to the jurisdiction of the competent criminal court, despite repeated inquiries from the High Court. According to Business Standard, the ED submitted to the Bombay High Court that Mallya's criminal prosecution under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act remains valid despite substantial asset recovery by banks.
In February 2026, the Bombay High Court criticised Mallya and said he could not seek equitable relief while deliberately avoiding court proceedings. The court gave Mallya a final opportunity to clarify whether he intended to return to India. Mallya's petition continues to challenge the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act and his declaration as a fugitive economic offender. His latest posts dispute the characterisation of his case, with Mallya focusing on the money he claims has already been recovered from the debt associated with Kingfisher Airlines. The fugitive businessperson maintains his legal position while facing ongoing legal proceedings in India, with his petition challenging the FEOA and his fugitiveness declaration.
Mallya is accused of money laundering and misappropriation of at least ₹3,500 crore out of ₹9,000 crore bank loans granted to his now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines. According to Business Standard, the ED had provisionally attached his properties in 2016, and in 2019, a special court permitted SBI and other lender banks to use Mallya's attached movable properties for debt recovery. Assets included United Breweries Holdings Ltd (UBHL) shares. The ED emphasized that restoration of assets under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act was a statutory mechanism for legitimate claimants to recover their losses, and that criminal prosecution is not rendered infructuous merely because claimant banks have subsequently recovered substantial amounts from assets restored to them.
