In a major development, the country's finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that the Enforcement Directorate, or ED, has managed to recover Rs 22,000 crore from Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi, and Mehul Choksi in India.
This is seen as a major setback for these fugitives who fled the country to elude any prosecution after their financial improprieties were exposed.
Mallya Complains
In this, the former liquor baron and fugitive, Vijay Mallya, who is currently said to be in the United Kingdom, took to X to express his grievance about the development.
Mallya, while posting on his X account said, "The Debt Recovery Tribunal adjudged the KFA debt at Rs 6,203 crores including Rs 1,200 crores of interest."
He further added, "The FM announced in Parliament that through the ED, Banks have recovered Rs 14,131.60 crores from me against the judgement debt of Rs 6,203 crores and I am still an economic offender. Unless the ED and Banks can legally justify how they have taken more than two times the debt, I am entitled to the relief which I will pursue."
Lalit Modi Extends Support
Reacting to this post, former IPL boss Lalit Kumar Modi, who is also said to be in the UK said, "This too shall pass my friend @TheVijayMally and wish a very happy birthday today my friend."
Birthday Wishes To Mallya
Sitharaman, while speaking at the parliament said, "The Enforcement Directorate (@dir_ed) has successfully Restored properties worth around Rs 22,280 crores, and I am only talking about the major cases. I would like to list the number of cases: - Vijay Mallya - Rs 14,131.6 crores, the complete amount of the attached property has been restored to the Public Sector Banks. Nirav Modi - Rs 1,052.58 crores have been restored to the Public and Private Sector Banks."
Apart from extending support to Mallya, Modi also wished him on his birthday. In a post on December 19, the fellow fugitive said, "Wishing you my friend #vijaymallya a very #happybirthday - life sure has its ups and downs we have both seen it. This too shall pass. May the year ahead be your year. And you are surrounded by love and laughter. Big big hug 🤗🥰🙏🏽@TheVijayMallya".
Mallya, who once advertised himself as the 'King Of Good Times', quickly reacted to this, and said, "Thank you my dearest friend….we both have been wronged in a Country we tried to contribute to."
