Sports, particularly cricket, have had their fair share of controversies. In India, one such high-profile case involves Lalit Modi, the former commissioner of the Indian Premier League (IPL), and his attempt to flee the country. During his IPL days, he was the Modi of Indian cricket. He was looked at as a hero for bringing fame and glamour to Indian cricket. But his shady handling of finances and administrative irregularities during his time at the helm of the league exposed him. Slowly, more and more of his questionable activities came to light.
- IPL bidding scandal: During the 2010 IPL bidding, Lalit Modi was charged with financial violations, a conflict of interest, and attempting to rig the selection process for two franchise teams, the Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI Punjab.
- Allegations of money laundering: Lalit Modi was charged in 2012 with misappropriating cash for the IPL and money laundering. Modi was served a show-cause notice by India’s financial crime investigative agency, the Enforcement Directorate, accusing him of breaking the laws governing foreign exchange.
- Lalit Modi was accused of exploiting his position to favour particular teams and players, which is considered to be a form of nepotism and favouritism. Additionally, he was charged with using nepotism and bias to choose the squad, move players, and make other administrative choices.
- Conflict of interest allegations: Lalit Modi was charged with having tight ties to businesspeople and politicians, which sparked questions about the likelihood of cronyism and corruption in the IPL.
- Allegations of spot-fixing and match-fixing: Throughout the IPL seasons, there were numerous allegations of spot-fixing and match-fixing involving players and team owners.
Despite all the scrutiny over his shady activities as the IPL Commissioner, it is alleged that the ruling BJP government helped Lalit Modi flee India. Various incidents further fueled the suspicions about BJP’s involvement in helping Lalit Modi escape investigations in India.
A Helping Hand from a BJP Leader: Sushma Swaraj
Lalit Modi’s departure from India has been the subject of heated discussion, with some accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of aiding in the process. Sushma Swaraj, a senior BJP leader and former Indian Foreign Minister, is one of the primary players in this dispute. When it was revealed in 2015 that Swaraj had assisted Modi in obtaining travel authorization to the UK for humanitarian reasons, a political uproar ensued. Her actions, according to critics, were unacceptable in light of the current inquiries into Modi’s financial affairs.
The Support of a Former CM: Vasundhara Raje
Vasundhara Raje, a top BJP leader and former chief minister of Rajasthan, is another significant political player involved in the Lalit Modi scandal.
Raje reportedly gave her approval to Modi’s application for UK immigration, but only on one very tight condition: her identity had to be kept a secret. This information stoked the fire and made many wonder how much political backing Modi had during his flight.
Legal Connections: Bansuri Swaraj’s Role
Bansuri Swaraj, the daughter of Sushma Swaraj, was revealed to be a member of Lalit Modi’s legal team as the crisis developed. Suspicions regarding the political forces influencing Modi’s escape were only raised by this relationship. Bansuri Swaraj eventually became the convener of the Delhi BJP cell, further solidifying the connections between the Modi family and the political group and heightening the intrigue.
Subsequently, Lalit Modi’s escape from India has been a story of political intrigue, powerful connections, and controversial actions. The involvement of high-profile BJP leaders, as well as the apparent intertwining of politics and cricket, had raised many questions.
As he again comes into the news, this time being supposedly the victim of vendetta politics by Rahul Gandhi; his controversial actions and sudden departure from India will also become the subject of discussion. But the silence of the government on questioning why it did not try to stop Lalit Modi from fleeing India will remain. No matter what the Modi government spreads
