Political reactions poured in, with a Congress leader questioning why Amit Shah, who fixes a time frame for eliminating naxalites doesn't do the same to get back these fugitives.  These responses underscore the frustration over the prolonged delays in extraditing such offenders from the UK

In a stark reminder of the challenges India faces in bringing economic fugitives to justice, a recent video has surfaced showing Lalit Modi and Vijay Mallya celebrating in London, seemingly without remorse for the massive financial frauds they are accused of committing. The footage, uploaded by Lalit Modi just over 24 hours ago, captures the former IPL chairman and the ex-Kingfisher Airlines owner posing for cameras and smiling amid festivities. This comes years after both fled India in 2010 and 2016 respectively, accused of looting thousands of crores from the country. The host of the discussion highlighted how these individuals continue to live lavishly, taunting Indian agencies and mocking the public, with no apparent fear of the law.

The video escalates into outright mockery of the Indian judicial system. This brazen attitude has sparked outrage, as many pointed out that it amounts to a "really mockery of Modi and Amit Shah." Political reactions poured in, with a Congress leader questioning why Amit Shah, who fixes a time frame for eliminating naxalites doesn't do the same to get back these fugitives. These responses underscore the frustration over the prolonged delays in extraditing such offenders from the UK, where they exploit the judicial system to evade capture, despite India's efforts to bring back fugitives from other jurisdictions.

A former top official of Kingfisher Airlines, expressed shock at the video, stating that it was nothing but a “fugitive challenging the government that they cannot do anything.  At the same time, he expressed confidence that the government will take notice of the matter. ”The government has been working very hard to bring these people back." he said and urged the UK government to cooperate, citing India's victory in the Mehul Choksi extradition as a positive sign.

A BJP spokesperson defended the government's efforts, crediting the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act of 2018 for recovering over Rs 23,000 crores. She argued that the Indian authorities particularly the CBI has done a stellar job. She also corrected figures on Mallya's dues, noting a parliamentary reply stating Rs 22,000 crores owed, with Rs 14,000 crores recovered. She listed other fugitives like Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi, emphasizing, "The Modi government will ensure that everybody who has dues pending from Kingfisher/Vijay Mallya they will be given their dues."

In contrast, a political analyst seemingly from an opposition viewpoint, criticized the government, recalling that  it was in 2018 that the CBI demoted the lookout circular-“from a detained notice to an informed notice." He accused the system of favouritism pointing out how, since 2014, 7 lakh crores have been written off by public sector banks in terms of loans that were not being paid by corporates. He clarified that write-offs mean showing losses in bank accounts but reserved the right to recover, though he argued it confuses the issue of accountability for fugitives.

Another ex-employee of Kingfisher Airlines, shared the personal toll, describing the video as "rubbing salt on our wounds." He lamented that Vijay Mallya had been hoodwinking everyone since 15 years while Kingfisher employees were suffering a lot. He  urged the government to address this with the finance ministry and challenged the defence of such figures, asking why it was hurting some to even call a criminal as one.

A Supreme Court lawyer however defended the fugitives' rights insisting that none of them have stood trial in India reminding the principle of natural justice that person is presumed to be innocent till found guilty. "The extradition proceedings are going on. Both of them are on bail. So they are following the law." was the argument against labelling them criminals prematurely, citing cases like the 2G scam where acquittals followed jail time.  He dismissed the outrage over their extravagant  ifestyles.

This incident highlights the ongoing frustration with India's efforts to extradite high-profile economic offenders from the United Kingdom. Despite persistent requests from agencies like the CBI and ED, both men have prolonged their legal battles through appeals, bail, and procedural delays in British courts. In the case of Vijay Mallya, the Bombay High Court recently questioned his intentions, emphasizing that he fled without facing prosecution and remains a declared Fugitive Economic Offender. As India continues its pursuit of economic offenders, the London video serves as a stark reminder of the challenges in bringing such individuals to justice, fueling public anger over perceived impunity for the powerful while ordinary citizens and affected employees bear the brunt.