NEW DELHI — In a fresh twist to the long-standing controversy over fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya’s escape from India, Mallya has claimed in a recent podcast that he informed then Finance Minister Arun Jaitley before departing for London in 2016. His remarks have reignited political debate, with Congress leader Pawan Khera lashing out at the Modi government, calling it “Narendra’s surrendered system.”
Speaking on the podcast, Mallya said, “I told Finance Minister Arun Jaitley before leaving for the airport and then I flew to London from Delhi.” He added that the revelation caused a storm in media and political circles at the time, with questions raised on how he left the country despite being under investigation, Vartha Bharati reported.
Mallya also recalled that when the news first broke, Jaitley denied meeting him. “A Congress MP saw us and then told the media, ‘No, I saw them together’. Jaitley had to retract his statement. He then said I met him, but only while walking — it was a fleeting meeting,” Mallya stated.
Clarifying further, Mallya said he never claimed to have had a formal meeting inside Jaitley’s office. “All I said is that I told the Finance Minister while leaving that I’m going to London to go to Geneva for a meeting. I’ll be back. Please tell the banks to sit across the table and settle with me. How long does this take — this one sentence?”
He also criticised media reporting on his case, stating, “This is the problem with the media, particularly where I’m concerned. They conjure up stuff, blow things out of proportion. Okay, it’s good for their business, then let them continue doing it.”
Reacting to the revelations, Congress leader Pawan Khera posted on X (formerly Twitter), “Foreign Minister attacks Pakistan by telling them. Bank fugitives flee the country after informing the Finance Minister. Narendra’s entire system turned out to be surrendered.”
Mallya’s comments have stirred fresh debate over the circumstances surrounding his flight from India and the role of senior government officials during the period. The Opposition has once again raised questions on the Modi government’s handling of economic offenders.
