Lalit Modi's Birthday Gift to Vijay Mallya: A Mocking Salute to Their Fugitive Status
Image Source: Internet
In a surprise move, Lalit Modi, the founder of the Indian Premier League, has shared a video on social media where he and Vijay Mallya, a businessman and former IPL chairman, refer to themselves as India's 'biggest fugitives.' The video appears to be from a pre-birthday celebration for Mallya held at Modi's London residence. The event, which took place on December 16 at Belgrave Square, was attended by several guests, including Indian entrepreneur Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw. International photographer Jim Rydell documented the gathering on social media, sharing a photograph of the two friends posing together. This isn't the first time both men have been in the news for their fugitive status. Vijay Mallya was declared a fugitive economic offender in January 2019 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, accused of defaulting on multiple loan repayments and facing money laundering charges. He left India in March 2016. Lalit Modi, on the other hand, left India in 2010 amid allegations of tax evasion, money laundering, and proxy ownership linked to the Indian Premier League. The Enforcement Directorate has alleged that Modi manipulated the process of assigning IPL broadcast rights in 2009, reportedly in exchange for kickbacks exceeding ₹125 crore. Their jest about being India's 'biggest fugitives' has sparked a mix of reactions online, with some interpreting it as a tongue-in-cheek comment on their complicated past. However, the implications of their actions and the ongoing investigations into their dealings remain a serious concern.
