In a candid and explosive interview on the podcast Figuring Out with Raj Shamani, former Indian Premier League (IPL) chief Lalit Modi revealed startling details about his departure from India, corruption in cricket, and the political and personal threats he faced during his tenure. These revelations challenge the widely held perception of Modi as a fugitive, shedding light on the complex circumstances that led to his self-imposed exile.
Death Threats and the Dawood Ibrahim Connection
Modi alleged that his departure from India was not driven by legal issues but by threats to his life from underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, following his anti-corruption measures in the IPL.
“I did leave the country when there was a death threat to me. Dawood Ibrahim made the threat to me first after IPL-1 because I was also anti-corruption. I didn’t allow any… I was a very strict anti-corruption commissioner,” he said.
“Dawood Ibrahim was after me because they were fixing matches, and I had a zero policy for match-fixing. For me, anti-corruption was a very big part of my thing, and I thought the integrity of the game was extremely important.”
Lalit Modi
Modi detailed a chilling encounter at Mumbai airport, where then-Deputy Commissioner of Police Himanshu Roy warned him of an imminent threat.
“When I arrived, I saw Himanshu Roy waiting for me. He told me, ‘We cannot protect you anymore. There is a hit on your life, and we can only ensure your safety for the next 12 hours.’”
-Lalit Modi.
Modi claimed that Ibrahim targeted him due to his zero-tolerance policy on match-fixing, exposing the underworld’s influence on cricket.
“Dawood Ibrahim was after me because they were fixing matches, and I had a zero policy for match-fixing… Betting is huge, it’s a $2 billion game. Betting is illegal today and was illegal at that time. The books are controlled by Dawood Ibrahim. I didn’t know this initially. I took a very strict stand, and I became the target” Modi explained.
The threats reportedly escalated beyond India, including an attempted hit on Modi in Montenegro and the kidnapping of his son in the UK.
Political Pressure and Allegations Against Shashi Tharoor
Lalit Modi accused Shashi Tharoor, Member of Parliament, of coercing him to approve a controversial 25% stake in the Kochi IPL franchise for Sunanda Pushkar, Tharoor’s late wife. Despite her lack of financial contribution, Pushkar allegedly stood to gain significant revenue (15%). Modi claimed that at the time, he did not know of Pushkar’s standing and identity, and was not aware of any relationship between Tharoor and Pushkar.
“When I refused, Tharoor called me and said, ‘Don’t you dare ask about Sunanda Pushkar. If you do, I will have you raided by ED tomorrow, you will be taken by Income Tax, and we will jail you.’”
– Lalit Modi
He eventually signed the documents under pressure, citing instructions from then-BCCI President Shashank Manohar and alleged involvement of political leaders from “10 Janpath,” (residence of Sonia Gandhi, current leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi) a veiled reference to the Congress Party’s leadership. Modi maintained that he signed the agreement under duress, a fact recorded in meeting minutes. He was later exonerated as Tharoor later admitted to this in parliament, which led to his suspension.
Corruption Allegations Within the BCCI
Modi did not hold back in accusing N. Srinivasan, former BCCI President and owner of Chennai Super Kings (CSK), of manipulating the IPL for personal gain. Modi claimed that Srinivasan rigged player auction in order to secure England’s Andrew Flintoff for CSK.
“Pick out everything, auction rigging. I gave Flintoff to Srinivasan. No doubts about it; every team knew about it. Srinivasan wasn’t going to let the IPL happen. He was a thorn in our Board. Yes, we told everybody not to pick ‘Flintoff.’ Yes, that I did—because Srinivasan said he wanted it,”
Modi also exposed allegations of umpire fixing, where Srinivasan allegedly appointed Chennai-based umpires for CSK games to influence outcomes.
“I went up against him, and he did many things. Umpire fixing, he accused me of it, and I accused him right back. He would change the umpire. At first, I didn’t think much about it. But when I realized he was putting a Chennai umpire on a Chennai game, it became an issue for me. That’s called indirect fixing. When I started exposing those things, he went totally against me.”
Legal Battles and Exile
Contrary to the image of a fugitive, Modi insisted that no substantive legal case exists against him in India.
“There is not a single case in any court. If there is, then please produce it. I can return tomorrow morning to India, but my issue is not to go. Legally I am not a fugitive.”
-Lalit Modi
Modi claimed that the cases filed against him were frivolous and lacked legal merit, with initial First Information Reports (FIRs) being dismissed by authorities.
The Road Ahead
Lalit Modi painted a complex picture of his tenure as IPL chief and the events leading to his exile. From facing threats from one of India’s most infamous criminals to battling political and administrative corruption, Modi’s story highlights the murky interplay of power, politics, and sport.
As he continues to reside abroad, Modi challenges authorities and detractors to prove their allegations, maintaining that his actions were driven by his commitment to the integrity of the game. Whether his assertions will spur further investigation or be dismissed as sensationalism remains to be seen, but the interview undeniably reignites debates surrounding cricket governance and political influence in India.
Watch the full interview here:
Manbilas Singh is a talented writer and journalist who focuses on the finer details in every story and values integrity above everything. A self-proclaimed sleuth, he strives to expose the fine print behind seemingly mundane activities and aims to uncover the truth that is hidden from the general public. In his time away from work, he is a music aficionado and a nerd who revels in video & board games, books and Formula 1.
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