This Article is From Aug 12, 2015

Enforcement Directorate Seeks Interpol Notice Against Lalit Modi

Enforcement Directorate Seeks Interpol Notice Against Lalit Modi

According to sources, the agency could also seek Mr Lalit Modi's extradition by sending a request to the External Affairs Ministry in this regard.

New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has sought an Interpol notice against tainted cricket mogul Lalit Modi, for his alleged financial irregularities related to the money laundering case being probed by the agency, according to senior officials.

According to sources, the agency's Mumbai office has officially moved for a 'Red Interpol notice' against Mr Modi on the basis of a non-bailable warrant (NBW) issued a special court earlier this month. A red notice is issued "to seek the location and arrest of wanted persons with a view to extradition or similar lawful action" in a criminal case probe, say sources.

Earlier, the ED had issued a Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) notice on Mr Modi, but had not met with any success. Now the agency has sought the global notice, as they have exhausted all domestic legal options, according to sources.

The agency says Mr Modi manipulated the process of assigning broadcast rights of the IPL in 2009, reportedly in exchange for a kickback of over Rs 125 crore. Testimony against Mr Modi has been given by N Srinivasan, former head of the BCCI, which is the top cricket administrative body in the country.

The legal request has been forwarded the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) head office to get a notice issued through their Interpol wing. CBI officials said that the request has been received from the ED yesterday, and it will be processed after due verification. The CBI is the nodal agency for Interpol related affairs in India, while Mr Modi is currently based in the United Kingdom.

Once the Red notice is sounded, the Interpol seeks to arrest the person concerned in any part of the world and notifies that country to take his or her custody for further action at their end.

According to sources, the agency could also seek Mr Modi's extradition by sending a request to the External Affairs ministry in this regard.
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