Former Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman Lalit Modi has publicly stated that he is not a fugitive and has no intention of confronting the Indian government, which he described as having a 'long arm'. Speaking in an interview, Modi challenged the lack of formal charges against him, despite persistent allegations.
Modi Denies Being a Fugitive
Modi, who has been living outside India for several years, vehemently denied that he is 'running' from the law. "I am not running at all, I am going all over the world. If I were running you would be picking me up from some place or the other," he told ANI. He emphasized that in 17 years, not a single case has been registered against him, questioning the justice system's efficiency.
"The Indian government has a long arm. You can’t take on the government of India, and I don’t intend to. I don’t want to," Modi stated, clarifying his position on his relationship with the authorities.
Allegations and Investigations Continue
Despite Modi's insistence that no formal case exists, he remains the subject of investigations by Indian authorities, including the Enforcement Directorate (ED). These probes relate to his tenure as IPL chief and involve allegations of money laundering, bid-rigging, and violations of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA).
Modi acknowledged that there was a time when he desired to return to India, but he now sees no reason to do so, stating he does not need to prove anything to anyone. He also criticized media reporting, suggesting it often operates without accountability in its home country.