Overview
- Modi posted an Instagram clip from a London celebration in which he introduces himself and Mallya as “the two fugitives, the biggest fugitives of India,” with a caption inviting viewers to “break the internet.”
- The video followed a December 16 pre‑70th birthday gathering for Mallya at Modi’s Belgrave Square residence, with photos and posts by attendees including photographer Jim Rydell circulating online.
- The post drew heavy criticism on social media, with users accusing the pair of mocking Indian authorities and questioning the effectiveness of enforcement efforts.
- A Bombay High Court bench of Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Gautam Ankhad asked when Mallya plans to return and told his counsel it will not take up his petitions without his submission to the court.
- Mallya was declared a Fugitive Economic Offender in 2019 and faces fraud and money‑laundering cases as UK insolvency actions proceed, while the Enforcement Directorate alleges Modi rigged 2009 IPL broadcast rights for kickbacks before leaving India in 2010.