Vijay Mallya (right) and his partner Pinki Lalwani with Lalit Modi.
Credit: Instagram/@lalitkmodi
Indian fugitive Lalit Modi on Monday apologised for his comment at Vijay Mallya's birthday party, in which he is seen saying "We are India's biggest fugitives".
Taking to X, the former IPL chairman said he did not intend to hurt anyone’s feelings, especially those of the Indian government, adding that he held them in high regard.
"I apologise if I have hurt anyone feelings especially the Indian Government who I have the highest respect and regard for. The statement was misconstrued and was never intended to be as played out. Once again my deepest apologies," Modi said in the post.
This comes days after the Ministry of External Affairs said India would work to bring back all fugitives.
Last week, Modi posted a video with fugitive-businessman Mallya. The post drew severe criticism as Modi introduced himself and Mallya as “the two biggest fugitives of India".
The video was posted on Instagram by Modi with a caption that said, “Let’s break the internet down in India again. Happy birthday my friend #VijayMallya. Love u."
The post attracted widespread reactions online, with many saying the two had mocked the Indian system.
India's fugitives
Both Modi and Mallya have been caught up in legal troubles in India over alleged financial fraud. The two have, however, repeatedly denied accusations.
Earlier this year, a consortium of Indian banks led by the State Bank of India (SBI)secured got a ruling in favour of a London court, upholding a bankruptcy order against Mallya.
The order relates to a long-running effort to recover a judgment debt of around 1.05 billion pounds owed by Kingfisher Airlines.
The two are in the UK, while they continue to resist extradition to India. Mallya claims to have paid back the banks the full amount he owed.
In October, it also emerged that Mallya had withdrawn an application to annul the UK bankruptcy order, allowing the trustee in bankruptcy to continue pursuing his assets on behalf of the banks.