Union Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh on Thursday called for the early return of fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya, asserting that the government would not hesitate to act against those who flee the country.
Speaking to reporters in Gonda, Singh said, &ldquo;Action will be taken. Such people flee the country out of fear.&rdquo; He added that India has shown it can bring back even the most serious offenders.
&ldquo;No one would have imagined that even terrorists could be extradited, but one of them was brought back,&rdquo; Singh said, referring to the extradition of Tahawwur Rana, a key accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.
His remarks came days after the Bombay High Court issued a strong message to Mallya, stating that it would not hear his challenge to the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act unless he returns to India and submits himself to the court&rsquo;s jurisdiction.
The issue of Mallya&rsquo;s return has drawn renewed attention after a video surfaced showing him celebrating his 70th birthday in London alongside another fugitive, Lalit Modi. The visuals sparked criticism, with many questioning how long Mallya can continue to stay abroad despite being wanted in India.
Mallya, who has been living in the United Kingdom since 2016, is facing charges of fraud and money laundering in India. He has filed petitions challenging both the order declaring him a fugitive economic offender and the constitutional validity of the 2018 law under which the declaration was made.
With mounting political pressure and a firm stance from the judiciary, calls for Mallya&rsquo;s return to face trial are growing louder.

‘Even terrorists extradited’: MoS on Mallya

Kirti Vardhan Singh urges Vijay Mallya’s return as court tightens pressure

‘Even terrorists extradited’: MoS on Mallya

Kirti Vardhan Singh urges Vijay Mallya’s return as court tightens pressure

December 25, 2025 | 17:31 IST