New Delhi: Indian Premier League (IPL) founder Lalit Modi is planning to return to India after 16 years.
Modi, who has lived abroad since 2010 and is facing multiple investigations, was granted major relief by the Appellate Tribunal under the Smugglers and Foreign Exchange Manipulators (Forfeiture of Property) Act (SAFEMA) which set aside most of the Enforcement Directorate’s findings and penalties in the 2009 IPL South Africa FEMA case. The second edition of the IPL was held in South Africa as it clashed with the Lok Sabha election in India.
The 62-year-old businessman and former cricket administrator intends to return home towards the end of this year or early next year.
Lalit described Tuesday’s verdict as the culmination of a 16-year legal battle.
“I’m really happy with the verdict yesterday. 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,” he said.
“I was only concerned with the well-being of the IPL and nothing and nothing at all. That is the most dear to me. Now that chapter is behind me, I’m going to move on in my life and I’m looking forward to coming back to India,” Modi said.
“I will come back probably 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.”
The tribunal ruling did not find sufficient material to establish Modi’s responsibility in the matter.
Modi, whose brainchild IPL was, served as its first chairman. He played a key role in transforming the tournament into the world’s most popular and biggest T20 league.
However, controversy dogged him. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) banned him for life in 2013 following disciplinary findings related to misconduct.
Even if he returns, there will be renewed focus on legal proceedings and controversies associated with Lalit over the years.
