Lalit Modi took a dig at India on Monday (22 December) by sharing the video of Vijay Mallya’s birthday party, in which he described himself and Mallya as the two biggest fugitives. Lalit Modi, who was the founding commissioner of the Indian Premier League (IPL), can be heard saying in the video released from London that we are two fugitives, India’s biggest fugitives.

Lalit Modi wrote in the caption of the video posted on his Instagram that let me do something which will create a stir on the internet again. Something special for you guys. Many reactions are coming on social media regarding this. One person said how much he had made fun of the Indian government, while some people held Indian officials responsible for it.

What did Bombay High Court say about Mallya?
Recently, Bombay High Court asked Vijay Mallya when he intends to return to India. During this, his lawyer was told that unless he first presented himself before the jurisdiction of the High Court, the court would not hear his petition against the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act.

Vijay Mallya, living in Britain since 2016, has filed two petitions in the High Court. In one, the order declaring him a fugitive economic offender has been challenged and in the other, the constitutional validity of the 2018 Act has been questioned. In January 2019, a special court hearing cases under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) had declared Vijay Mallya a fugitive economic offender. Mallya, facing charges of defaulting on several loans and money laundering, had fled India in March 2016.

Lalit Modi fled the country in 2010
Lalit Modi, on the other hand, fled India in 2010 amid allegations of tax evasion, money laundering and proxy ownership related to IPL. The ED claims that Lalit Modi had rigged the process of allotment of IPL broadcast rights in 2009, in return for which he allegedly received a bribe of more than Rs 125 crore.

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Belgian court has approved the extradition of fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi. Both Choksi and his nephew Nirav Modi are wanted in India in the Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam case. According to sources, the court has issued a preliminary order upholding India’s extradition request. A court in Antwerp (Belgium) gave this order and declared his arrest valid on the basis of India’s request. This decision is being considered an important step towards bringing back Choksi for India.

Opportunity to appeal in High Court
However, according to officials, Choksi still has the option to appeal in the higher court. An official said, “This means that he will not be brought to India immediately, but the first and very important step of the process has been passed.”

Court’s decision after hearing arguments from both sides
The Antwerp Court on Friday heard the arguments of the Belgian prosecutors from the Indian side and Choksi’s legal team. The court accepted that India’s extradition request and Choksi’s arrest were valid.

All attempts for bail failed
Mehul Choksi, 65, was arrested by the Antwerp Police on April 11 on the extradition request of the CBI. He is in jail in Belgium for the last four months. Choksi filed petitions for bail in many courts, but every time his petition was rejected.

Fraud committed with the connivance of PNB officials
India presented strong evidence and legal arguments against Mehul Choksi in the Antwerp court, naming him the main accused in the ₹13,850 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam. CBI told the court that Choksi, in connivance with PNB officials, obtained loans from foreign banks without any security by issuing fake Letters of Undertaking (LoU). Later this money was transferred to shell companies and money laundering was done.

Charges are registered under serious sections
India has accused Choksi of several charges of fraud, criminal conspiracy, destruction of evidence and corruption. A case has been registered against him under sections 120B, 201, 409, 420, 477A of IPC and sections 7 and 13 of Prevention of Corruption Act.