After nearly a decade of public silence, controversial businessman Vijay Mallya made headlines again by appearing on Raj Shamani’s popular podcast, “Figuring Out.” In a four-hour-long, no-holds-barred conversation, Mallya opened up about his financial downfall, the collapse of Kingfisher Airlines, and his ongoing battle to avoid extradition to India.
Mallya, once hailed as the “King of Good Times,” has been a fugitive in the eyes of Indian authorities ever since he left the country in 2016. Facing fraud and money laundering charges involving over ₹9,000 crore in unpaid loans to Indian banks, Mallya defended his side of the story on the podcast, sparking a fresh wave of public debate.
“I’ll Return if There’s a Fair Trial”
When asked directly about the possibility of returning to India, Mallya stated,
“If I have assurance of a fair trial and a dignified existence in India, you may be right, but I don’t.”
He further cited rulings from the UK courts that found Indian detention conditions violative of Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights, arguing that similar cases have prevented other extraditions to India.
“Sorry to Kingfisher Employees”
Mallya also took a moment to express regret toward his former employees, saying:
“I want to say sorry to the employees of Kingfisher Airlines and also to set the record straight with facts and the truth.”
The airline shut down in 2012, leaving behind thousands of unpaid workers and significant debt to banks and authorities. Mallya has long been accused of mismanagement, fund diversion, and escaping accountability.
“Banks Recovered More Than I Owe”
In a bold claim, Mallya said that Indian banks have already recovered ₹14,100 crore, despite his outstanding debt being ₹6,203 crore. He insisted on transparency from the lenders:
“I demand a full statement from banks. If I owed ₹6,200 crore and they’ve recovered ₹14,000 crore, where’s the issue?”
He reiterated that he’s being treated unfairly compared to other defaulters who allegedly received relief or were not pursued as aggressively.
“I Didn’t Run Away”
Responding to being labelled a “fugitive,” Mallya defended his departure:
“I flew out of India on a pre-scheduled visit. Fair enough, I did not return for reasons I consider valid. If you want to call me a fugitive, go ahead. But where is the ‘chor’? Where is the ‘chori’?”
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) have accused Mallya of not just defaulting but also diverting funds overseas and laundering money through shell companies.
India’s Extradition Efforts Continue
India submitted a formal extradition request for Vijay Mallya in 2017, and though a UK court approved the move in principle in 2018, legal hurdles and appeals have stalled the process. Mallya remains in the United Kingdom, where he is fighting extradition on both legal and humanitarian grounds.
Podcast Sparks Nationwide Debate
The podcast, titled “Vijay Mallya: Rise & Downfall of Kingfisher Airlines, Loans & RCB,” has gone viral across social media, with clips shared on Mallya’s X (formerly Twitter) account. It has reignited questions about corporate fraud, political protection, and the treatment of high-profile defaulters in India.
As Mallya’s revelations stir the internet, the Indian public—and authorities—are watching closely to see whether this rare public appearance signals the start of a new chapter or yet another strategic move in an ongoing legal chess game.