The Mansion in London That Lalit Modi Now Calls Home

London: Sandwiched between the upmarket lanes of the borough of Chelsea in London is Sloane Street, one of the city's best addresses. Number 117, is a corner building on the street, a mansion which has been leased by Lalit Modi.

The corruption-tainted former IPL chief's home in Britain is a five-story building spread over 7000 square feet with an inbuilt elevator and 14 rooms.

Lalit Modi has been living in London since 2010, when he was accused of impropriety on over 20 counts in connection with the IPL or Indian Premier League that he created.

He claims that numerous threats to his security forced him to make London his home.

Is a British citizenship coming his way? Lalit Modi has hinted that the situation may go in his favour when it comes to the courts and government of Britain.

When his passport was revoked by the Indian government in 2011, Lalit Modi obtained the 'leave to remain in UK' status.

Under British laws, such a person can stay on in the UK as a businessman, provided he invests at least 200,000 in the country.
Sources say Mr Modi has invested up to a million pounds in stocks and shares.

If the businessman can show that he has more than 10 employees, then the process to obtain a "PR" or Permanent Residency can get faster and it would eventually lead to UK citizenship.

With a British passport, Lalit Modi can travel to more than 170 countries without a visa.

He can cite "away from India" as a reason to avoid summons from courts and the cricket board BCCI like he has been doing.

Mr Modi is wanted in several cases of corruption, money-laundering and tax evasion in India.

Arresting a foreign national in another country would mean India would have to keep in mind bilateral ties between the two nations. However, if the Indian government does press charges, UK will follow the law, say experts.

"If the home country decides that a person needs to be arrested through a red corner notice, cases in the past have shown that the UK would not interfere if a clear bilateral agreement is made even if the person has a British passport and has made investments. "We have seen cases where the UK government has stayed out even if it is a citizen of 'good character' but has criminal cases outside of the country," says senior immigration lawyer Gurpal Oppal.