Businessman Lalit Modi, who has become the talking point ever since he announced the relationship with actor Sushmita Sen, hit out at online trolls with an Instagram post today.
He wrote, "Why is the media so obsessed about trolling me for apparently wrongly tagging. Can someone explain ... I guess we are still living in the Middle Ages where two people can't be friends and then if chemistry is right and time is good, magic can happen ... My advice: live and let others live."
Mr Modi posted a series of ten pictures on his official Instagram account along with the nearly 500 word statement. The pictures included him with personalities such as the Dalai Lama, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Talking about his late wife, Minal Modi, he said that she was the "love of my life". "Minal Modi was my best friend for 12 years whilst we were married. She was not my mother's friend. The gossip was spread by vested interests. It's time to get out of this crab mentality," the former chairman of the Indian Premier League (IPL) said.
Addressing the trolls, Lalit Modi said that he holds his head higher than "you all ever can".
"You call me a fugitive (but) pray tell which court has ever convicted me. I will tell you - none. Tell me just one other person in our beautiful nation that has created what I have," he added.
A day after Lalit Modi dropped the bombshell about them dating, Sushmita Sen said that she was "in a happy place" refusing to clarify more as it is "back to life and work".
She said, "I am in a happy place!Not married, no rings...Unconditionally surrounded by love. Enough clarification given... Now back to life and work! Thank you for sharing in my happiness always."
Lalit Modi, who was the first chairman of the Indian Premier League, announced on July 15 that he was dating the the former Miss Universe. He also clarified that the two aren't married yet and that "it is a new beginning".
Sushmita Sen Is A Vision In A White Saree And An Off-Shoulder Blouse As Showstopper For Rashi Kapoor At Lakme Fashion Week x FDCI Durga Puja 2024: Sushmita Sen Visits Pandal With Rohman Shawl And Daughter Alisah By Her Side Sushmita Sen's Birthday Wish For Daughter Renee, 25 Today India A "Cyber Adversary", Says Trudeau Government, New Delhi Shreds Claim 8 Mobiles, 20 SIMs, 6 Fake Names: Delhi Doctor Murder Accused's Exit Plan Canadian Diplomat Summoned After Allegations Against Amit Shah By Minister India's Defence Exports To Touch Rs 50,000 Crore In 2029-30: Rajnath Singh Will End Economic Disaster Of Kamala Harris: Donald Trump Odisha Medical College Expels 5 Students From Hostel For Ragging Juniors Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.