Priyanka Tiwari
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Suspense crime, Digital Desk : Fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya recently found himself at the center of a social media storm after taking to X (formerly Twitter) to congratulate the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) cricket team on a victory. While the gesture might seem straightforward, Mallya's controversial past quickly led to his celebratory message being overshadowed by a wave of trolling and sarcastic remarks from Indian netizens.
When I founded RCB it was my dream that the IPL trophy should come to Bengaluru. I had the privilege of picking the legendary King Kohli as a youngster and it is remarkable that he has stayed with RCB for 18 years. I also had the honour of picking Chris Gayle the Universe Boss…
— Vijay Mallya (@TheVijayMallya) June 3, 2025
Mallya, the former owner of RCB and once dubbed the "King of Good Times," has been in the United Kingdom since 2016. He is wanted in India on charges of alleged fraud and money laundering amounting to an estimated ₹9,000 crore related to the collapse of his Kingfisher Airlines. Indian authorities have been actively seeking his extradition.
Despite his legal entanglements and departure from India, Mallya occasionally comments on RCB's performance, a team he was once deeply associated with. His latest congratulatory post, however, served as a fresh opportunity for social media users to remind him of his outstanding dues and his fugitive status.
Comments flooded his post, with many users sarcastically asking when he planned to return the money owed to Indian banks or making ironic references to his "good times." The online backlash highlighted the strong public sentiment against Mallya in India, where many view his public pronouncements, especially those related to a beloved national sport like cricket, as inappropriate given the serious financial allegations he faces.
The incident underscores how public figures with contentious histories often face intense scrutiny on social media, where their past actions are rarely forgotten, especially when they attempt to engage on popular topics. For Mallya, even a simple congratulatory message to his former team became a reminder of the long shadow cast by his legal battles and financial controversies.
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