Ex-IPL chief is alleged to have committed forex violations amounting to Rs200 crore.
After issuing an international lookout notice or a ‘blue corner’ notice against Lalit Modi, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) may now soon initiate the process of revoking former IPL czar’s passport.
Sources said Modi might also be booked under the stringent provisions of the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities (Cofeposa) Act, which allows enforcement agencies here to keep him under detention for a period of one year, without trial. Modi has been repeatedly defying summons from the ED which is investigating his alleged foreign exchange violations.
DNA was the first to report last month that the ED was seriously contemplating issuing a lookout circular against him and revoking his passport thereby making his foreign stay illegal.
Senior finance ministry officials close to investigations said enforcement agencies will wait for a couple of weeks before revoking Modi’s passport giving him further time to make himself available for questioning in India. According to investigators, Modi is alleged to have committed forex violations over Rs 200 crores. Under Fema the penalties against Modi could total over Rs 1000 crore.
According to the notice issued through Interpol, Modi is suspected to have fraudulently acquired foreign exchange outside India by misusing his position as IPL chairman. After the issue of the notice, now Modi is likely to be detained at any international airport.
Meanwhile, Modi’s lawyer said the ‘blue corner’ notice is uncalled for. “Such notices are issued to ascertain information about the identity and location of a person. In Modi’s case, there is no doubt about his identity. He is residing in London and the ED is aware of that,” counsel Mehmood Abdi said.
Abdi further said the ED has not made any allegation of Modi having contravened any provision of Fema.
“The ED had addressed communications to Modi to present himself with documents. He has furnished the ED with copies of all required documents which were available with him.
“He had also informed the agency that he had been advised not to travel to India on account of an elevated threat perception to his life and had given particulars of the same.
“He had also offered to answer all queries, requisitions in writing as also respond to any questions by video conferencing or by appearing before the ED officers in London,” Abdi said.
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