Justice delayed, extradition denied Indian fugitives thriving in UK

Recovering dues from fugitives is progress, but justice demands swift extradition and accountability

- S Murlidharan

It is no coincidence that a gallery of India's fugitives has found refuge in London. The genial host of good times, Vijay Mallya, presided over the ruination of Kingfisher Airlines, which was propped up repeatedly with fresh loans—good money thrown after bad. In 2019, Mallya fled India with 35 suitcases, leaving banks saddled with unpaid loans exceeding ₹9,000 crore, including interest. He now resides comfortably in London, where the extradition order against him remains on hold due to an unspecified "confidential legal matter."

Joining Mallya in London a few months later were diamond merchants Nirav Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi, who defrauded Punjab National Bank of a staggering ₹32,000 crore. While Choksi sought asylum in Antigua and Barbuda, Nirav Modi remains in London, dodging extradition on the grounds of "humanitarian concerns," claiming Mumbai's Arthur Road Jail is too unhygienic for his refined sensibilities.