The Bombay High Court made it clear that fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya must return to India if he wants his petition challenging the Fugitive Economic Offenders (FEO) Act to be heard, observing that he cannot seek equitable relief while evading court proceedings.

A Bench headed by Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar granted Mallya a final opportunity to clarify whether he intends to come back to India.

The court noted that he appeared to be avoiding the jurisdiction of Indian courts and therefore could not expect relief in his plea.

“You must return. If you do not return, we cannot hear your petition. You are evading the court process, so you cannot seek equitable relief while deliberately avoiding court proceedings. Nevertheless, in fairness, we are not dismissing the case and are giving you another chance,” the Bench said.

The High Court directed Mallya to file an affidavit clearly stating whether he will return to India. Addressing his submission that he was entitled to a hearing without being physically present in court, Chief Justice Chandrashekhar said he must first place his stand on record through an affidavit.

The matter has been posted for hearing on February 18.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) reiterated that the government remains committed to ensuring that economic fugitives return to India to face trial. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the government is actively pursuing the return of individuals such as Vijay Mallya and Lalit Modi, though several legal processes are involved.

“We remain fully committed that people who are fugitives and wanted by law in India return to the country. Several layers of legalities are involved, but we are working to bring them back so they can face trial before the courts here,” he said.

Both Mallya and Lalit Modi face allegations of financial irregularities, which they have denied.

Under the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018, 15 individuals have been declared fugitive economic offenders so far. Of these, nine are linked to large-scale financial frauds involving public-sector banks, resulting in a principal loss of ₹26,645 crore. Interest accrued on these loans up to October 31, 2025 amounts to ₹31,437 crore, while ₹19,187 crore has been recovered.

Mallya has been living in the United Kingdom since 2016.