After intense backlash for two days for over remarks he made in a video he featured in, Lalit Modi, former IPL chairman, issued an apology on Monday.
In a post on X, Modi said that he never intended to offend anyone. He said that his statement was “misconstrued”. “I apologise if I have hurt anyone's feelings, especially the Indian Government, who I have the highest respect and regard. The statement was misconstrued and was never intended to be as played out. Once again, my deepest apologies,” he said in the post.
I apologise if I have hurt anyone feelings especially the Indian Government who I have the highest respect and regard for. The statement was misconstrued and was never intended to be as played out. Once again my deepest apologies
— Lalit Kumar Modi (@LalitKModi) December 29, 2025
The video in question featured him with fugitive Vijay Mallya. The clip was posted to Instagram, and in it he jokingly referred to himself and Mallya as ‘the two biggest fugitives of India”
The caption of the post read “Let me do something to break the internet again. Happy birthday, my friend #VijayMallya. Love u,”
After the video surfaced, the Ministry of External Affairs reiterated India’s position on those who face charges at home but were staying abroad.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, during a media briefing, said that the ministry was “fully committed that people who are fugitives and are wanted by law in India return to the country.”
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Both Lalti Modi and Viay Mallya face legal cases in India over alleged financial irregularities. They have denied the allegation against them.
Vijay Mallya is believed to be out on bail in the UK. Lalit Modi, a former cricket administrator and the founder of the Indian Premier League, left India in 2010 after the launch of a probe into the league's early years. He has not returned to India since.
