Modi is probably living in the UK.
By Sreekanth A. Nair
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has sent a request to the Indian government to extradite former chairman of the Indian Premier League (IPL) Lalit Modi who left the country a few years back soon after the ED launched an investigation against him for money laundering.
“The Enforcement Directorate has sent us an extradition request. It is currently being examined by our legal experts. Once we make sure that it is in good shape, we will send it to the UK side for consideration,” External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup was quoted as saying by Press Trust of India (PTI).
Modi, who headed the IPL for three years from 2007 to 2010, is facing charges of money laundering under the provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) along with sections 420 (cheating) and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of IPC in connection with irregularities in the conduct of the IPL.
Two months back, a special court in Mumbai had given ED the permission to initiate extradition of Modi who is supposedly living in the UK. The ED wants Modi to co-operate with the agency in the investigation.
The ED had approached Interpol last year to get a Red Corner notice issued against Modi. But the Interpol has asked the ED to produce more information about the cases against Modi.
The case was registered against Modi and six others after the then Board for Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) chief N Srinivasan filed a complaint with Chennai police.
A few days back Modi’s father KK Modi had said that his son was facing threats from the underworld.
“As far as Lalit is concerned, he is defending himself internationally, as and when he gets clearance from the lawmakers, he will be back. The threat from the underworld continues and he doesn’t feel safe here in India. Last time when he was here they removed all security,” K.K. Modi told Business World.