Vijay Mallya, the fugitive businessman accused of a ₹9,000 crore loan fraud in India, was recently seen at the wedding of his son Sidhartha in the United Kingdom. Sidhartha married his girlfriend Jasmine in a lavish ceremony held at their $14 million mansion in Hertfordshire on Saturday.
Mallya, the former promoter of Kingfisher Airlines, famously known as “The King of Good Times” for his extravagant lifestyle, fled India in March 2016 and has been residing in the UK since then. He faces charges of money laundering and loan default in India. Mallya built his fortune through his successful beer brand, Kingfisher, and later ventured into the airline industry and Formula 1. His airline, Kingfisher Airlines, was launched in 2003 and began commercial operations in 2005. However, the airline faced mounting debt and losses, leading to its closure in 2012.
The Enforcement Directorate and the Central Bureau of Investigation in India are investigating his case. In July 2022, the Supreme Court of India sentenced Mallya to four months in jail. Despite several attempts by India, Mallya’s extradition has been unsuccessful so far.
Sidhartha shared pictures of his wedding on Instagram, showcasing the grand mansion in Tewin, Hertfordshire, adorned for the celebrations. Mallya purchased this mansion, known as “Ladywalk,” from Anthony Hamilton, father of renowned F1 driver Lewis Hamilton, just before fleeing India in 2015. The 30-acre estate features several swimming pools, tennis courts, and fountains.
Sidhartha and Jasmine announced their engagement on Halloween in 2023. Limited information is available about the bride, who resides in the US. Mallya’s son, a model and actor, was born in California but raised in the UAE and London. He studied drama at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. He was a regular sight at Indian Premier League matches in India, cheering for the Royal Challengers Bangalore team, but his appearances have been rare since his father’s departure from the country.
