Lalit Modi flaunted British royal connections for travel papers

According to the report in ‘The Sunday Times’, Andrew – the Duke of York and second son of Queen Elizabeth II – has known Modi for several years and met him at his London home last July, a few days before his travel papers were granted. The Buckingham Palace refused to say what the two men had discussed but denied “categorically” that the duke had lobbied the UK government on Modi’s behalf.

On July 21, Andrew, 55, was spotted visiting Modi at his seven-storey townhouse in Chelsea, a posh area of west London. 

A spokesman for the Buckingham Palace said: “While we would never comment on the private 

meetings or conversations of members of the royal family, I can confirm that the Duke of York has known <g data-gr-id="39">Mr</g> Modi over a number of years.”

He added: “The duke is fully aware that policy and decisions relating to immigration issues are a matter for the Home Office. It is categorically untrue that he has sought to influence decisions on these issues.”

The spokesman said Andrew had not accepted any hospitality or gifts from Modi and that “the duke was not aware of the detail of allegations” against him.

Clarence House said Prince Charles, 66, and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, had met Modi on “a handful” of occasions at charity functions.

Modi has not responded to a request for comment on the latest revelations so far.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday said Mumbai Police commissioner Rakesh Maria has been asked to provide “information” on his statement regarding his meeting with tainted ex-IPL boss Lalit Modi in London.

“We have asked Rakesh Maria to give information officially to the government on what he has said in media. Based on his information, we will decide further course of action,” he said.

Asked if a time-frame has been laid down for Maria to give the information, the CM said he has been given a day’s time.

On whether Maria will be asked to step down temporarily until the inquiry against him is conducted, Fadnavis said: “First, let the information come to us.” 

A fresh controversy had broken out on Saturday in the Lalit Modi episode after Maria admitted that he had met the tainted ex-IPL boss in London in 2014 on the insistence of the latter’s lawyer.