The Enforcement Directorate has summoned Lalit Modi in reference to a money laundering case and has given him 2 weeks to appear before court.
The ED case, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, is based on a criminal case registered by the Chennai Police against Modi in 2013. This is not the first time he has been called by the ED in connection with IPL investigations. Modi was earlier summoned by the agency under the less stringent Foreign Exchange Management Act.
“This time around, it is mandatory for Modi to appear in person before the ED. If he fails to appear before the agency, we will proceed against him under the law,” a senior ED official said. Under the law, if an individual does not comply with summons issued under PMLA, the ED can move a court to obtain a non-bailable warrant or even a red corner notice against the person, said a lawyer, who did not want to be mentioned. “There are several other options, but these two are mostly used in case of non-compliance,” he added.
So far, the ED has investigated 15 other cases of over Rs 2,000 crore that involves Modi and others under FEMA. Modi, currently in the UK, has recorded all his statements until now, through Abdi. When contacted, Abdi said, “I have not received any ED summons and neither has Mr Modi.”
