Lalit Modi counsel seek independent probe panel

Sacked Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman Lalit K Modi is not seeking closure of enquiry into the allegations of financial irregularities brought against him by the Indian cricket board but only prays that investigation/ enquiry be done by a panel of independent people, said his counsel Ram Jethmalani arguing in the Supreme Court on Wednesday.

He argued in court that the “present committee consisting of Jyotiraditya Scindia, Chirayu Amin and headed by Arun Jaitley is clearly biased”.

“Mr. Arun Jaitley is clearly biased as he had advised the President Mr. Shashank Manohar on 7th March, 2010 even before the meeting of the Governing Council that the bid was rigged to favor Adani and Videocon and the conditions of $ US 1 Billion and the deposit of US$ 100 million was unreasonable,” Jethmalani argued.

“This is recorded by the President himself in the minutes of the Governing Council (GC) dated 7th March. Hence, he is bound by his legal advice,” he said.

Modi’s counsel said Chirayu Amin had a hidden interest in cancellation of the first rounds of bid as he wished to buy 10% stake in a franchise but due to conditions of US$ 1 Billion was not able to participate.

“He hid this fact from all the members of the GC and was appointed as Chairman of IPL. He was exposed by Lalit K Modi (LKM) on 4th June, 2010 and was hence publicly embarrassed. He has a personal bias against LKM,” he argued.

Jethmalani further said Arun Jaitley and Chirayu Amin participated in the meeting of GC and discussed and decided to terminate the contract with World Sport Group (WSG) on the grounds of fraud as recorded by Srinivasan in the termination letter dated 28 June.

“Mr. Jyotiraditya Scindia, Mr. Chirayu Amin and Mr. Arun Jaitley participated in the Special General Body Meeting of the Board on 3rd July, 2010 heard the witness, evaluated the evidence and then participated in the decision to refer the matter to themselves being the Disciplinary Committee which is highly objectionable,” argued Jethmalani.

Modi’s counsel said, once the chargesheet has been issued i.e show cause notice, all the three people had no business participating in any meetings where such agenda was being discussed as they are now biased by the discussion that they have participated in and being associated with BCCI president Shashank Manohar, who has ranted against Lalit K Modi.

“The rules of BCCI itself provide for Disciplinary Committee consisting of President and 2 other persons and not members. There are 16 more sub committees like DC including National Selection Committee of BCCI and all have independent people as members. The biggest example being K Srikanth, who is also the brand ambassador of Chennai Super Kings (CSK),” said Jethmalani.

“There is no prejudice caused to BCCI if all the charges are investigated by an Independent Body and Lalit K Modi is not made a scapegoat,” he added.

On Oct 15, a Look Out circular was issued to all Indian airports against sacked Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman Lalit Modi.

Earlier on Oct 7, a blue alert, which bans travel completely, has been issued against Lalit Modi by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

Modi, facing charges of Income Tax fraud as the IPL commissioner and chairman, is hounded by the Board for Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) and its disciplinary action committee.

The alert was issued after Modi failed to turn up before the ED for interrogation.

Last month Lalit Modi suffered a set-back after the Bombay High Court dismissed his petition to reconstitute the Disciplinary Committee set up by the BCCI to look into the corruption charges levelled against him.