India's abandoned 'White House in the Sky' rots in legal limbo after Mallya's fall
A lavish replica of the White House, built 400 feet above Bengaluru, has stood empty for nearly a decade. Originally commissioned by businessman Vijay Mallya, the £16 million project was abandoned after his financial collapse and legal battles began.
Construction of the so-called 'White House in the Sky' started in the early 2010s. By 2016, the 40,000-square-foot replica—complete with a rooftop helipad, infinity pool, and sprawling gardens—was almost finished. But Mallya's mounting debts and legal troubles soon brought work to a halt.
Indian courts froze Mallya's assets, including the replica, over allegations of fraud and money laundering. The Karnataka High Court later blocked any further construction. Meanwhile, the Bombay High Court ruled that Mallya's challenge to the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act would only be considered if he returned to India to face charges.
Mallya left for the UK in 2016, leaving the project unfinished. Since then, the extravagant property has remained unoccupied, its future uncertain.
The replica now sits frozen in legal limbo, untouched for years. With Mallya still abroad and courts upholding asset freezes, the 'White House in the Sky' may never be completed—or lived in.
