Lalit Modi’s passage to India might not be a smooth one

In March last year, Modi had issued a statement in which he stated that he wasn't a 'fugitive'.

The BCCI had in September 2013 slapped a life-ban on Modi for financial irregularities when he was the IPL commissioner

On Monday, the Supreme Court may decide whether or not to declare the results of the Rajasthan Cricket Association elections in which former Indian Premier League (IPL) commissioner Lalit Modi is a favourite to take over as president. Petitions challenging Modi’s candidature and the Rajasthan Sports Act 2005 have been filed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India and former RCA secretary Kishore Rungta respectively.

However, even if Modi wins the elections when it is declared, it is unlikely that his passage to India will be a smooth affair given that the Enforcement Directorate has issued a Blue Corner notice against him. This means that if Modi arrives in the country, he can be detained at the airport and taken for questioning by ED officials,” a top ED official told The Indian Express.

Though the initial probe may be restricted to questioning Modi, in due course, if sufficient grounds exist, the ED will proceed to slap money laundering charges against Modi. Once money laundering charges are enforced then Modi can be arrested,” the official added.

In short, if Modi wants to run the RCA from Jaipur then he will first have to risk being part of what may turn out to be a lengthy investigation process.

On Sunday, Mehmood M Abdi, the general counsel and constituted attorney of Modi refused to comment on whether or not the former IPL chairman would arrive in India if he wins the RCA elections, which were held on December 19.

Not a fugitive

In March last year, Modi had issued a statement in which he stated that he wasn’t a ‘fugitive’. “My absence from India is for genuine reasons. The ED and the Indian Passport office has completely under-estimated the level of the security threat against me,” the statement said.

The BCCI had in September 2013 slapped a life-ban on Modi for financial irregularities when he was the IPL commissioner. BCCI’s petition also contended that Modi’s nomination was not right since RCA had imprudently rejected Board’s objections to the former IPL commissioner’s candidature. The Rajasthan elections were conducted under the court order and Supreme Court-appointed observers had allowed Modi to contest.

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