A lot of people across the country are going to be very angry today. As they should be.

The most shining example of crony capitalism in the country – Vijay Mallya – has just bought himself the sweetest possible deal in the history of corporate India. In return for racking up Rs 7,200 crore in what Diageo calls ‘financial irregularities’ to feed his lifestyle, most of it using taxpayer money, the so-called King of Good Times is now being paid Rs 500 crore to go quietly into the night. That’s right, that’s Rs 100 crore on average every year to go and live ...