Duet of Defiance
In a public display that has sparked both curiosity and criticism, former IPL commissioner Lalit Modi and fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya were recently seen singing together at a lavish party in London. A video shared by Modi himself shows the pair performing a rendition of Frank Sinatra's "I Did It My Way," a song choice laden with irony given that both men are wanted in India on serious financial crime allegations. The event, a grand celebration hosted by Modi, reportedly drew over 300 guests from around the world.
Lavish Affair
The party's opulence was on full display, with attendees including former cricketer Chris Gayle, who shared a photo with the duo. Lalit Modi seemed to revel in the attention, captioning his video with the remark, "Hope this video doesn’t break the internet. Controversial for sure. But that’s what I do best." The event showcased the comfortable and high-profile lives both men continue to lead in the UK, far from the reach of Indian law enforcement.
Fugitives from Justice
The controversy stems from the serious legal cases pending against both individuals. Lalit Modi, the architect of the Indian Premier League, has been in self-imposed exile in the UK since 2010. He faces multiple allegations in India, including money laundering, bid-rigging, and violations of foreign exchange laws amounting to hundreds of crores.
Vijay Mallya, once known as the "King of Good Times," is wanted in India for defaulting on loans worth approximately ₹9,000 crore. He faces charges of fraud and money laundering and is currently on bail in London while fighting an extradition request from India. Both men have denied any wrongdoing, often claiming the allegations are politically motivated. Their joint appearance, celebrating openly while legal proceedings continue, has been widely viewed as a bold and defiant gesture.
