Vijay Mallya’s Desperation: Bombay High Court Denies Plea Against Fugitive Economic Offenders Act
The Bombay High Court has firmly stated that it will not entertain Vijay Mallya’s petition challenging the Fugitive Economic Offenders (FEO) Act unless he returns to India to face trial. During a session on February 12, 2026, Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Gautam Ankhad emphasized, “You (Mallya) have to come back… if you cannot come back, then we cannot hear this plea,” according to the Press Trust of India (PTI).
The court has mandated that Mallya clarify his intentions regarding his return to India. He is required to file an affidavit affirming whether he plans to come back. Chief Justice Chandrashekhar highlighted Mallya’s previous argument that he is entitled to a hearing in absentia, urging him to provide a clear statement on his return.
The bench noted that Mallya appears to be evading the court proceedings, making it clear that he cannot benefit from legal processes while avoiding compliance. “We may have to record that you are avoiding the process of the court. You cannot take benefit of the proceedings. In all fairness to you, we are not dismissing the petition but giving you another opportunity,” the court remarked.
Mallya, who has resided in the UK since 2016, is embroiled in multiple legal battles in India, facing allegations of fraud and money laundering amounting to around ₹9,000 crore. He has filed two petitions with the Bombay High Court: one contests the declaration of him as a fugitive economic offender, and the other challenges the constitutional validity of the FEO Act of 2018.
His next court appearance is set for February 18, 2026, which will provide another chance for him to clarify his position regarding returning to India. The court previously stated at a December 2025 hearing that proceedings would only move forward with his presence in the country. During that session, Mallya’s counsel, Amit Desai, claimed that legal precedents exist permitting such pleas to be heard without the petitioner’s presence. However, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta countered that Mallya, who has contested his status as a fugitive, should first return to India to resolve the matter legally.
Mehta argued, “He (Mallya) can come to India first, and then it can be seen whether he is liable or not liable to pay. He cannot not trust the law of the country.” Additionally, the Indian government is contesting Mallya’s extradition proceedings initiated in London, which are reportedly nearing conclusion. Mehta indicated that Mallya’s challenges to his fugitive status are a response to the impending extradition.
Mallya was declared a Fugitive Economic Offender in January 2019 by a special court dealing with cases under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). He has remained outside India since March 2016, accumulating significant legal obstacles and charges. The current situation highlights the ongoing complexities of Mallya’s legal battles and the Indian judicial system’s insistence on accountability.
Original Source: https://www.livemint.com/news/india/you-have-to-come-back-bombay-high-court-refuses-to-hear-vijay-mallyas-plea-against-fugitive-economic-offenders-act-11770887740358.html
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Publish Date: 2026-02-12 17:23:00
