Lalit Modi and BCCI got big relief in the case related to IPL 2009, ED’s argument did not hold up in the court.

New Delhi: Former Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman Lalit Modi has got a big legal relief after almost 16 years. In the case related to the IPL held in South Africa in 2009, the Appellate Tribunal gave relief to him and canceled the fine imposed on him. Also, the argument of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in which foreign money transfer was described as ‘capital account transaction’ was also not accepted.

16 year old case finally over

This matter was related to the second season of IPL being organized in South Africa in 2009. The investigation and legal process of this case lasted for about 16 years. Now the Tribunal in its decision accepted that the foreign remittances in question fall under the category of ‘Current Account Transaction’, hence the allegations leveled against them could not be sustained.

ED’s main argument was also not accepted

During the hearing, the tribunal also made it clear that it was not the personal responsibility of Lalit Modi to ensure that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) followed the rules of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). Also, he did not have such financial powers as claimed by the investigating agency. On this basis, the tribunal canceled the fine imposed on him and provided him relief in this case.

Lalit Modi welcomed the decision

After the decision, Lalit Modi called it the end of the most important legal dispute related to IPL 2009. He said that he always worked in the interest of Indian cricket and IPL and had no intention of taking any personal benefit or doing any wrongdoing.

He also said that due to the general elections taking place in India at that time, there was a compulsion to organize the IPL in South Africa. If such a decision was not taken, organizing the tournament would not have been possible.

‘Truth and law have won’

Lalit Modi said that he followed the legal procedure in the entire case and cooperated in the investigation. He always believed that in the end the decision would come on the basis of law and facts only. He called this decision not just his personal victory, but a victory for fair judicial process and importance of evidence. He also said that now he will leave this chapter behind and focus on moving forward in the fields of sports, business and social service.