A picture of the meeting between Mumbai Police Commissioner Rakesh Maria and former IPL boss Lalit Modi in London in 2014.
The Maharashtra government has sought a clarification from Mumbai Police Commissioner Rakesh Maria regarding his meeting with former Indian Premier League commissioner Lalit Modi in 2014. The meeting took place at a cafe in London on July 17 last year.
Mr Modi, the first Commissioner of Indian Premier League, and others are facing probe by Enforcement Directorate in alleged forex violation cases.
The state government is investigating why Mumbai's top cop met Mr Modi, and if there was any impropriety in the meeting. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has sought a clarification from Mr Maria.
Mr Maria says the meeting was at the insistence of Mr Lalit Modi's counsel and he had reported the matter to the state home minister on his return.
Confirming that the letter had been sent, state home minister Ranjit Patil said, "Only the records will clear what compelled Mr Maria to meet Mr Modi and what transpired between them. The Additional Chief Secretary (Home), the Chief Minister and I will go through the records and get back to the media."
"In 2014, I went for an official conference to London. An advocate approached me saying Lalit Modi wanted to meet me regarding a threat to his life," Mr Maria told NDTV. "I told him I had no jurisdiction in London and he would have to come to Mumbai and file a complaint for us to initiate any action."
"As Commissioner of Police many people approach me with complaints. After coming back, I met the Home Minister told him about it and put this on the records of Mumbai Police," Mr Maria added.
The BJP had been firefighting since last week as it came to light that External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had helped the former IPL chief get travel documents in UK. She had also met him at a private dinner in London. Though Ms Swaraj said helping Mr Modi was a humanitarian gesture, the opposition has accused her of impropriety and demanded her resignation.
Mr Maria was appointed Mumbai Police Commissioner in February 2014. He is known for his investigation of the 1993 serial blasts in Mumbai. He has been credited with solving the case and has earned praise for his handling of the probe.