Should I become a cockroach? says Fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya

Vijay Mallya, who is living in London, has criticised the legal action linked to the bank dues of his now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines and questioned the way he continues to be described as a fugitive and fraudster. In a post on X on September 10, Mallya said, “With all the injustices I have faced and continue to face, I wonder if I should become a cockroach. Maybe a better life on the cockroach side.”

He made the remark while discussing the recovery of money owed to banks and defending his position in the ongoing legal proceedings.

Mallya cites ED affidavit over Rs 14,000 crore recovery

Mallya referred to what he described as an Enforcement Directorate affidavit filed before the Bombay High Court. He claimed the document showed that more than Rs 14,000 crore had been recovered and transferred to banks in 2021.

“And may I say again, affidavit filed in court by the most feared criminal agency the Enforcement Directorate confirms that they handed over Rs 14,000 plus crores to the Banks in 2021. Forget what I say if you don’t trust me. Focus on what the Enforcement Directorate said,” he wrote.

He separately shared an extract from the alleged affidavit and pointed to a figure of Rs 14,131.60 crore.

“Affidavit filed by the ED in the Hon’ble Bombay high court. Para 7 is the decreed debt and Para 17 shows recovered Rs 14,131.60 crore in 2021 !! 5 years on I am still referred to as a fraud who cheated the Banks,” Mallya said.

He also posted a table that he claimed represented the recovery in his case and questioned why he continued to be described as a fraudster.

“To all who believe in fair and proper accounting justice please see the following table. Do I still deserve the way I am berated by the media and referred to as a fraudster at the very outset of a journalist’s script ? Why not start asking when I will get my refund,” he wrote.

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Mallya says repayment should not depend on physical presence

Mallya also responded to criticism from people who accused him of refusing to return to India.

“Thank you all for your mixed replies to my tweets. Love and hate go hand in hand and I respectfully accept that whilst humbly accepting your opinions. But for those who do not understand the difference between permanent residency and citizenship and for those who think that repayments are based on physical presence, please think again,” he said.

A day earlier, Mallya had claimed that he was legally unable to leave the UK, where he said he has been a permanent resident since 1992.

“For all who say I am a bhagoda refusing to come to India, please be aware that I have been a permanent resident of the United Kingdom since 1992 and am currently legally prohibited from leaving this country. All this started with poster boy actions by the Government of India who have been grossly unjust in my case,” he wrote.

Mallya’s fugitive economic offender status

Mallya was among 15 people declared Fugitive Economic Offenders under the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018, according to a statement made by Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary in the Lok Sabha in October 2025. The list also included fugitive businessman Nirav Modi.

In February 2026, the Bombay High Court criticised Mallya and said he could not seek equitable relief while deliberately avoiding court proceedings. The court also gave him a final opportunity to clarify whether he intended to return to India.

Mallya’s petition challenges the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act and his declaration as a fugitive economic offender.

His latest posts continue to dispute the characterisation of his case, with Mallya focusing on the money he claims has already been recovered from the debt associated with Kingfisher Airlines.