‘Where is chori!’: Vijay Mallya’s claim has X in splits, leaves netizens angry and shocked

Fugitive liquor baron Vijay Mallya has claimed that the Indian government has already recovered more than twice the amount that Kingfisher Airlines owed to banks, questioning why he continues to be labelled a “fraud” or “thief”. “Where is the chori?” Mallya asked during a four-hour podcast, where he said he would “seriously consider” returning to India—if assured of a fair trial and a “dignified existence”.

“Call me a fugitive for not going to India post-March 2016. I didn’t run away, I flew out of India on a prescheduled visit. Fair enough, I did not return for reasons I consider valid,” Mallya said. “But where is the ‘chor’ coming from? Where is the ‘chori’?,” he questioned.

‘I failed with Kingfisher’

The former Kingfisher Airlines chief said he was not used to business failure. “I faced the crisis of the airline. I’ve felt it more than anyone else. I gave it my all, but I had to keep myself together because I was a leader. If I had crumbled, the airline would’ve crumbled sooner.”

Calling Kingfisher “probably the most awarded airline ever”, he pinned the blame for the collapse on government policy, adding, “The final straw was the government not allowing Etihad Airways to invest in Kingfisher.”

Mallya claimed to have sought permission from then Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee to downsize the airline. “I was told not to downsize. I was assured banks would support me. That’s how this started,” he said.

‘Govt recovered more than double’

Claiming a “false narrative” has been built around him for years, Mallya claimed that the government’s own records have now confirmed recovery of Rs 14,100 crore. “The Finance Ministry’s annual report, and a statement in Parliament, have both acknowledged this. The legacy media can’t spin it anymore,” he added.

He explained that Kingfisher Airlines’ loan, as per the Debt Recovery Tribunal, stood at Rs 4,999 crore, with Rs 1.23 crore as unapplied interest—totaling Rs 6,203 crore. “I gave a personal guarantee. But if Rs 14,100 crore has been recovered, then where is the fraud? How does this qualify as chori?” Mallya asked.

‘I didn’t borrow, Kingfisher did’

Mallya also challenged the notion that he personally defaulted. “I didn’t borrow as Vijay Mallya. Kingfisher Airlines borrowed, and I was just a guarantor.”

Wanted by Indian authorities in a Rs 9,000-crore loan default case, Mallya has been living in the United Kingdom since 2016. Investigative agencies including ED, CBI, SFIO, and SEBI are probing multiple companies linked to him for alleged cheating, money laundering, and criminal conspiracy involving public sector banks led by SBI.

In 2020, Mallya lost his final appeal against extradition in the UK Supreme Court. India has since been pursuing his extradition from both the UK and France.

Harsh Goenka sparks debate, netizens clash

The podcast reignited a fierce public debate.

Vijay Mallya lived the high life, yes. Defaulted, yes. Unlike most others, his ₹9,000+ crore dues are now reportedly settled. Meanwhile, bigger defaulters walk free with much fatter haircuts from banks. If dues remain, the banks should clearly say so. If not, why is he still a…

— Harsh Goenka (@hvgoenka) June 5, 2025

Mallya also issued a public apology: “I apologise to everyone for the failure of Kingfisher Airlines.”

‘What about my roommate’s 50K?’: Ex-employees, netizens call him out

However, Mallya’s statements triggered angry reactions online. A former employee alleged, “My roommate lost Rs 50,000 that your company forced air hostesses to deposit while joining. Most were fired before they could get a refund. That’s why you’re not welcome in your motherland.”

Another user wrote, “If you’re so sorry, pay them off from your personal funds. Their pending salaries are just a fraction of what you spend on your legal defence and lavish lifestyle. There’s a complete mismatch between your words and your body language.”