Big relief to BCCI and Lalit Modi, Tribunal overturns ED’s decision; The matter is related to IPL 2009

BCCI Lalit Modi ED Case: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and its officials have got a big relief in the 16-year-old Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) case related to the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2009 being held in South Africa. The Appellate Tribunal constituted under the Smugglers and Foreign Exchange Management Act has canceled many orders of the Enforcement Directorate (ED), while in some cases the amount of fine has also been reduced significantly. The tribunal gave this decision on 16 July 2026.

Biggest relief to Lalit Modi

The biggest relief in this matter has been given to former IPL chairman Lalit Modi. The tribunal completely set aside the fine imposed on him, saying that although he may have played a key role in organizing IPL 2009 in South Africa, there was not enough evidence to hold him responsible for FEMA violations. The judgment said that it has been accepted that the concept of Indian Premier League was of Lalit Modi. But he cannot be held responsible for BCCI’s compliance with FEMA rules. The fine imposed on him was completely wrong.

What did Lalit Modi say after the decision?

After the verdict, Lalit Modi said that the tribunal has rejected the foundation of the entire ED case. He said the tribunal held that the amount sent to South Africa for IPL 2009 was a current account transaction and not a capital account transaction. This was the foundation of the entire ED case. The court also held that I was not responsible for BCCI’s FEMA compliance, nor did I have any of the powers with which I was accused. Modi further said that he always worked in the interest of Indian cricket and IPL and did not commit any personal wrongdoing.

Relief to former officials also

The tribunal directed BCCI and its then secretary N. Srinivasan and Treasurer M.P. Gave some relief to Pandove also. The tribunal has reduced the fine of Rs 4 crore imposed on BCCI in this case to Rs 1 crore. N. The fine of Rs 1 crore on Srinivasan was reduced to Rs 10 lakh and M.P. The fine of Rs 50 lakh on Pandove was reduced to Rs 5 lakh.

However, in another case, the tribunal has upheld the fine of Rs 50 lakh each imposed on Srinivasan and Pandove. The court held that both of them, being the secretary and treasurer of BCCI at that time, were responsible for the functioning of the board.

What was the whole matter?

This case is related to sending foreign currency during shifting of IPL 2009 from India to South Africa. Due to security reasons due to general elections being held in India at that time, the tournament was organized in South Africa. The ED had alleged that approximately US$4.98 crore was sent abroad without prior permission of the Reserve Bank of India, which was in violation of FEMA rules.

What argument did BCCI give?

BCCI and its officials said that even if there were any procedural lapses, it was due to lack of knowledge of the rules and not due to any ill intention. The tribunal also accepted this argument in many cases and changed the ED’s decision.

Also read:- Tilak Verma: Playing for the country, not for strike rate; Tilak Verma’s befitting reply to criticism

Why did you have to go to South Africa?

Lalit Modi reminded after the decision that it was not possible to organize IPL in India due to general elections in 2009. At such a time, the decision was taken to take the tournament to South Africa, which played an important role in saving the IPL. Today this league is counted among the most valuable cricket leagues in the world.