Can't say when I'll return to India; legally barred from leaving U.K.: Mallya to Bombay HC

Vijay Mallya tells Bombay HC he cannot return to India due to legal restrictions in the UK and revoked passport.

Fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya, facing multiple cases of fraud and money laundering, told the Bombay High Court on Wednesday (February 18, 2026) that he cannot say when he will return to India as he is legally barred from leaving the U.K.

In a statement submitted through his counsel Amit Desai to the High Court, Mr. Mallya said he did not have an active passport after it was revoked and hence, he cannot give a definite date of return to India.

The statement was submitted after a Bench of Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Gautam Ankhad made it clear last week that it would not hear Mr. Mallya's plea against the order declaring a fugitive economic offender until he returns to India.

The court had then asked the former liquor baron to clarify whether or not he intended to return to India.

Mr. Mallya, based in the United Kingdom since 2016, has filed two petitions in the HC— one challenging an order declaring him a fugitive economic offender and the other questioning the constitutional validity of the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act.

The 70-year-old liquor baron is accused of defaulting on multiple loan repayments of several thousand crores and facing money laundering charges.