When the Wealthy Flee Justice: Indian Economic Fugitives

These cases—from the recent Goa nightclub tragedy to the historic Bhopal gas disaster—illustrate a recurring pattern in India’s legal history: affluent or influential figures accused of serious offences often manage toleave the country, exploiting delays in investigations and weaknesses in extradition processes.

- TDG NETWORK

Goa nightclub owners Saurabh & Gaurav Luthra (2025) - A fire at their Arpora club “Birch by Romeo Lane” killed 25 people on 7 December 2025. Within hours, the brothers boarded IndiGo flight 6E 1073 from Delhi to Phuket; Goa police said they left at 5:30 a.m., five hours after the blaze. Lookout notices were issued only after they had gone, and Indian agencies sought help from Thai authorities and Interpol to deport them.

Vijay Mallya (2016) - The liquor and aviation tycoon left India in March 2016 owing more than $1 billion in unpaid loans. He left the country after defaulting on state-bank loans meant to bailout Kingfisher Airlines. Britain’s Home Secretary later approved his extradition, but legal appeals have delayed his return.