After 16 yrs, Lalit Modi eyes India return with a smile

New Delhi: Former IPL chairman Lalit Modi on Wednesday said he plans to visit India later this year or early next year after receiving major legal relief from the Appellate Tribunal in the long-running 2009 IPL South Africa foreign exchange case, describing the ruling as the vindication of a 16-year battle. In a video message posted on social media, Modi said the tribunal's verdict had finally established the truth behind his stand on the case.

"I'm really happy with the verdict. It's really been a great day. Sixteen years I have fought and whatever I have been saying to the media and to everybody has finally emerged as the truth," Modi said. The Appellate Tribunal under the Smugglers and Foreign Exchange Manipulators (Forfeiture of Property) Act (SAFEMA) set aside key penalties imposed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) against Modi and other former BCCI officials in connection with the conduct of the 2009 IPL in South Africa.

The tribunal held that the foreign remittances in question were current account transactions that did not require prior RBI approval and also ruled that Modi was not responsible for ensuring the BCCI's compliance with the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). Modi, who has been living in London since leaving India in 2010 amid multiple investigations, said the legal chapter was now behind him.

"I'm going to move on in my life and I'm looking forward to coming back to India. Yes, I will come back probably at the end of this year or early next year. My daughter is due with my grandson in October and hopefully everything will be well and I'll be back in India," he said. In a separate post on X, Modi said India had always remained close to him despite his prolonged stay overseas. "India has always been a part of who I am. The legal process has taken its course, and I respect that. I look forward to visiting my country again, meeting old friends, from time to time and contributing in every positive way I can." Modi, 62, also clarified that he will continue to live in London.

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