Fugitive liquor baron Vijay Mallya has claimed that the Indian authorities has already recovered greater than twice the quantity that Kingfisher Airways owed to banks, questioning why he continues to be labelled a “fraud” or “thief”. “The place is the chori?” Mallya requested throughout a four-hour podcast, the place he stated he would “significantly contemplate” returning to India—if assured of a good trial and a “dignified existence”.
“Name me a fugitive for not going to India post-March 2016. I didn’t run away, I flew out of India on a prescheduled go to. Truthful sufficient, I didn’t return for causes I contemplate legitimate,” Mallya stated. “However the place is the ‘chor’ coming from? The place is the ‘chori’?,” he questioned.
Additionally Learn: ‘My intuition instructed me…’ Fugitive Vijay Mallya on King Kohli and RCB
‘I failed with Kingfisher’
The previous Kingfisher Airways chief stated he was not used to enterprise failure. “I confronted the disaster of the airline. I’ve felt it greater than anybody else. I gave it my all, however I needed to hold myself collectively as a result of I used to be a frontrunner. If I had crumbled, the airline would’ve crumbled sooner.”
Calling Kingfisher “in all probability probably the most awarded airline ever”, he pinned the blame for the collapse on authorities coverage, including, “The ultimate straw was the federal government not permitting Etihad Airways to put money into Kingfisher.”
Mallya claimed to have sought permission from then Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee to downsize the airline. “I used to be instructed to not downsize. I used to be assured banks would assist me. That’s how this began,” he stated.
‘Govt recovered greater than double’
Claiming a “false narrative” has been constructed round him for years, Mallya claimed that the federal government’s personal data have now confirmed restoration of Rs 14,100 crore. “The Finance Ministry’s annual report, and a press release in Parliament, have each acknowledged this,” he stated.
He defined that Kingfisher Airways’ mortgage, as per the Debt Restoration Tribunal, stood at Rs 4,999 crore, with Rs 1.23 crore as unapplied curiosity—totaling Rs 6,203 crore. “I gave a private assure. But when Rs 14,100 crore has been recovered, then the place is the fraud? How does this qualify as chori?” Mallya requested.
Additionally Learn:Debt recovered ‘a number of occasions over’, says Vijay Mallya; Karnataka HC points discover to banks
‘I didn’t borrow, Kingfisher did’
Mallya additionally challenged the notion that he personally defaulted. “I didn’t borrow as Vijay Mallya. Kingfisher Airways borrowed, and I used to be only a guarantor.”
Wished by Indian authorities in a Rs 9,000-crore mortgage default case, Mallya has been residing in the UK since 2016. Investigative companies together with ED, CBI, SFIO, and SEBI are probing a number of firms linked to him for alleged dishonest, cash laundering, and prison conspiracy involving public sector banks led by SBI.
In 2020, Mallya misplaced his remaining enchantment in opposition to extradition within the UK Supreme Court docket. India has since been pursuing his extradition from each the UK and France.
Harsh Goenka sparks debate, netizens conflict
The podcast reignited a fierce public debate.
Vijay Mallya lived the excessive life, sure. Defaulted, sure. In contrast to most others, his ₹9,000+ crore dues are actually reportedly settled. In the meantime, greater defaulters stroll free with a lot fatter haircuts from banks. If dues stay, the banks ought to clearly say so. If not, why is he nonetheless a…
— Harsh Goenka (@hvgoenka) June 5, 2025
Mallya additionally issued a public apology: “I apologise to everybody for the failure of Kingfisher Airways.”
‘What about my roommate’s 50K?’: Netizens name him out
However Mallya’s apology didn’t sit nicely with netizens. One X person alleged, “My roommate misplaced Rs 50,000 that your organization compelled air hostesses to deposit whereas becoming a member of. Most had been fired earlier than they may get a refund. That’s why you’re not welcome in your motherland.”
One other wrote, “If you happen to’re so sorry, pay them off out of your private funds. Their pending salaries are only a fraction of what you spend in your authorized defence and lavish way of life. There’s an entire mismatch between your phrases and your physique language.”
A 3rd stated, “Fantastic Britain — even thieves are allowed to promote their podcasts. Be a person, settle your dues within the honourable Bharatiya court docket, then present your face. Until then, you might be an absconding thief. Chor, chor, chor!”
“SBI needs to know your location, buddy…” one person quipped.
One other commented, “Mr Mallya, small mouth, huge discuss. A person earns cash to achieve respect in society. If that respect is misplaced, what is going to you do with the cash — make pickle out of it?”
“A thief ought to by no means be excused. You abused the belief of individuals, banks, and staff — after which ran away. No sense of regret or remorse. The one good factor you ever did was make a pleasant beer. The remainder of you is a legal responsibility for our nation,” famous one other.
