Enforcement Directorate files plea for extradition of Lalit Modi

The central agency requested a letter of request be issued, under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty, to a competent court in the United Kingdom to bring back Modi to India.

The Enforcement Directorate on Tuesday moved an application before special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court to extradite former IPL chairman Lalit Modi in cases of money laundering.

Lalit Modi at a press conference in Mumbai in 2010. (HT Photo)

The central agency requested a letter of request be issued, under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty, to a competent court in the United Kingdom to bring back Modi to India, and to investigate him in connection with the cases.

The ED in its application, moved by advocate Hiten Venegaonkar, has stated Modi had cheated the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) by allotting free commercial time of 150 seconds to a company. The ED states Modi cheated the BCCI in the execution of Securities Facilities Agreement, with a company named Visual Impact that was handpicked by Modi to supply vans mounted with X-Ray scanners stationed at IPL playgrounds.

The case which is under investigation for money laundering by the central agency pertains to the deal for media rights during the IPL seasons where Modi is alleged to have laundered around Rs425 crore. The agency alleged as the IPL chairman Modi entered into separate agreements with two companies Multi Screen Media (Singapore) Ltd and World Sports Group (WSG) for broadcasting media rights.

However, there were discrepancies in connection with awarding broadcast media rights for Indian Premier League and Modi is alleged to have received monetary gains from this deal. The ED alleged the documents related to the alleged violation are with these companies in Singapore and Mauritius.