'Lalit can get into some other biz'

A day after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) suspended IPL commissioner Lalit Modi on alleged grounds of financial irregularities, HT spoke to his industrialist father K K Modi who heads the family's businesses, including the flagship Godfrey Phillips India.

A day after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) suspended IPL commissioner Lalit Modi on alleged grounds of financial irregularities, HT spoke to his industrialist father K K Modi who heads the family's businesses, including the flagship Godfrey Phillips India. Excerpts:

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How would you respond to the allegations hurled at your son?
Controversies are bound to happen. If you become famous, especially if you to create a property such as the Indian Premier League, there are bound to be people who would try to pull you down. It is a natural phenomenon. Lalit has created a world-class product in the last three years and nobody can take away that from him.

As a father, are you anxious. Do you feel let down by your son?
I never thought Lalit would be surrounded by such controversies, especially after creating such a successful event. The IPL has created enormous value for the country in general and the BCCI. As a father, it is only natural to get worried. None of the accusations are going to stick.

Is it true that Lalit Modi will soon take over as the chairman of Godfrey Phillips?
It is not entirely correct. Our family believes in consensus and we had worked out the inheritance plan two years ago.