Interpol seeks Lalit Modi case info from ED for third time

The Interpol has yet again sought additional information from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on its money laundering case against former IPL Chairman Lalit Modi as part of the process to issue a Red Corner Notice against him.

Officials said the Interpol sought fresh information from the agency for the third time after the agency had moved the world police body through the Central Bureau of Investigation in August this year for getting a global warrant notified against Modi in the Indian Premier League T-20 cricket tournament probe. They said the Interpol wanted to have “more information” about the case registered by the agency under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) against Modi which has been replied back, for the third time, “very recently”. Twice earlier, sources said, the ED has replied with full details of the case against Modi but the Interpol sought more information in this regard before a possible RCN is issued.

Investigators also expressed shock and surprise at the Interpol seeking repeated information in this case which is leading to a situation that the request of a prime investigating agency in a criminal case not coming through. The move to obtain a Red Corner Interpol notice against Modi was necessitated after a Mumbai Court in August had issued a non-bailable warrant against the former IPL Commissioner on the plea of the ED. The agency had sought Interpol’s help as domestic legal options available to it for serving its summons to Modi issued under anti-money laundering laws had failed. After his lawyer in Mumbai refused to accept the summons, contending he was not authorised for it, the ED had e-mailed it to the former IPL honcho, who has made London his home, but elicited no response from him.