Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Vijay Mallya

Public opinion and media debates around Vijay Mallya—discover key moments of controversy.

Vijay Mallya is an Indian fugitive businessman and former politician wanted in India on charges of financial crimes. He faces extradition from the UK, where he has been residing. Despite legal setbacks, including the rejection of his appeals against extradition and bankruptcy, as of April 2024, Mallya continues to resist extradition through unresolved legal means.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

2002: Prevention of Money Laundering Act

In April 2016, a special court in Mumbai issued an undated non-bailable arrest warrant against Vijay Mallya, responding to a plea by the Enforcement Directorate concerning the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002.

2012: Financial scandals and controversies

Vijay Mallya and his companies have been embroiled in financial scandals and controversies since 2012.

October 2013: Kingfisher Airlines' financial crisis

By October 2013, Kingfisher Airlines had lost its license, had not paid employees for 15 months and owed over US$1 billion in bank loans.

February 2015: Forced to resign as chairman of United Spirits

In February 2015, Vijay Mallya was forced to resign as chairman of United Spirits, contracting to receive a $75 million severance payment which was later blocked by Indian courts.

November 2015: Kingfisher Airlines' debt

By November 2015, Kingfisher Airlines owed at least $1.35 billion to banks, with additional debts for taxes and creditors; Mallya faced accusations of being a "willful defaulter."

March 2016: Banks approach Supreme Court to prevent Mallya from leaving India

In March 2016, a consortium of banks approached the Supreme Court of India to prevent Vijay Mallya from leaving the country due to pending debts, but he had already left. Accusations arose of transferring ₹4,000 crore (US$470 million) to tax havens.

March 2016: Non-bailable warrant issued in Hyderabad

On March 13, 2016, the High Court of Judicature at Hyderabad issued a non-bailable warrant against Vijay Mallya for failure to appear in court regarding an allegation of cheating the GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd.

March 2016: Left India amidst financial scandals and controversies

On March 2, 2016, Vijay Mallya left India, stating his intention to move to Britain to be closer to his children, amidst financial scandals, controversies and attempts by banks to recover approximately ₹90 billion (US$1.1 billion) in loans.

April 2016: Non-bailable warrant issued in Mumbai

On April 18, 2016, a special court in Mumbai issued an undated non-bailable arrest warrant against Vijay Mallya, responding to a plea by the Enforcement Directorate concerning the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002.

April 2016: Passport revocation

On April 24, 2016, the Ministry of External Affairs (India) revoked Vijay Mallya's passport.

May 2016: Resigned from the Rajya Sabha

In May 2016, Vijay Mallya resigned from the Rajya Sabha, the day before the Ethics Committee was prepared to recommend his expulsion.

June 2016: Enforcement Directorate provisionally attached assets

In June 2016, the Enforcement Directorate reported that it had "provisionally attached" ₹14.11 billion (US$170 million) rupees worth of Vijay Mallya's Indian assets and properties against unpaid loans totaling ₹8.07 billion (US$95 million).

June 2016: Declared a proclaimed offender

On June 13, 2016, the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court declared Vijay Mallya a "proclaimed offender" following a request by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with its money laundering probe against him in an alleged ₹90 billion (US$1.1 billion) loan default case.

December 2016: ED attached assets of Mallya and Kingfisher in India

By December 2016, the ED has attached a total of ₹96.61 billion (US$1.1 billion) worth of assets of Vijay Mallya and Kingfisher in India.

April 2017: Arrested in London on extradition warrant

On April 18, 2017, Vijay Mallya was arrested by the UK Metropolitan Police extradition unit "on behalf of the Indian authorities in relation to accusations of fraud", and was released on bail pending further consideration of the case.

April 2017: Mallya on bail since arrest on extradition warrant

Vijay Mallya has been on bail since his arrest on an extradition warrant in April 2017.

May 2017: Found guilty of contempt of court

On May 9, 2017, the Supreme Court of India found Vijay Mallya guilty of contempt of court and summoned him to appear on 10 July.

October 2017: Arrested in London as part of money-laundering case

On 3 October 2017, Vijay Mallya was arrested as part of a money-laundering case in London and was released on bail.

2017: Contempt of Court Conviction

In 2017, Vijay Mallya was convicted of contempt of court for transferring US$40 million to his children in violation of court orders, leading to a later sentencing in July 2022.

June 2018: Ordered to pay Indian banks

On 16 June 2018 Vijay Mallya was ordered to pay £200,000 (₹18.1 million) to Indian banks by a United Kingdom court.

December 2018: Extradition Order

In December 2018, the court ruled that Vijay Mallya could be extradited to India to face fraud investigations.

April 2019: Mallya's Settlement Terms

In April 2019, Mallya's settlement with UBS stipulated that he could remain in the property if the mortgage was repaid by April 2020, along with interest and legal costs.

May 2019: Mallya Trial Postponed

In May 2019, the trial to evict Mallya from Cornwall Terrace was postponed as Mallya reached a settlement with UBS.

July 2019: Permission to Appeal Extradition

In July 2019, Mallya was granted permission to appeal to London's High Court against his extradition order.

April 2020: Extradition Plea Rejected

In April 2020, the London High Court rejected Vijay Mallya's plea against his extradition to India.

May 2020: Payment Deadline

In May 2020, Mallya was required to pay the interest accrued up to 1 May 2020 as part of his settlement agreement with UBS.

May 2020: Final Appeal Against Extradition Lost

In May 2020, Vijay Mallya lost his final appeal in the UK Supreme Court against extradition to India for alleged fraud and money laundering related to unrecovered loans to Kingfisher Airlines.

July 2020: Settlement package offered to Indian bankers

In July 2020, Vijay Mallya offered a settlement package of ₹139.60 billion (equivalent to ₹160 billion or US$1.9 billion in 2023) to the consortium of Indian bankers pursuing litigation against him; this settlement was not accepted by the bankers.

October 2020: Extradition on Hold

In October 2020, the Indian government was notified that Mallya's extradition could not proceed due to an unspecified "confidential legal matter".

July 2022: Supreme Court Sentences Mallya to Jail

On 11 July 2022, the Supreme Court sentenced Mallya to four months in jail and imposed a Rs 2,000 fine in a 2017 contempt of court case for transferring US$40 million to his children in violation of court orders.