Passport revocation: Lalit Modi seeks more time from authorities

MUMBAI - Suspended Indian Premier League (IPL) Commissioner Lalit Modi’s lawyer has sent clarifications to the Regional Passport Officer in a letter on Thursday seeking more time to react to the showcause notice.

“We should be given sufficient time to react to the issued notice. We want more time and clarification from the Regional Passport Officer. We have sent a reminder to the passport office,” said Modi’s lawyer Abdi, while addressing the media persons here today.

Modi was issued a showcause notice by the Regional Passport Officer here on October 13, asking him to clarify that why his passport should not be revoked.

Continuing to tighten screws on Lalit Modi, Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao had threatened to cancel the former IPL commissioner’s passport if he does not respond to corruption charges.

The regional passport officer (RPO) in Mumbai issued a showcause notice to Modi on October 13, asking him to explain why his passport should not be revoked.

Modi has been out of the country and refusing to return to face ED investigations into corruption charges and violation of foreign exchange management Act (FEMA) related to the IPL. Modi has cited security threats as a reason for him staying away.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED), which looks into foreign exchange violations, had written to the External Affairs Ministry on October 5 asking it to revoke Modi’s passport since he had persistently refused to face the ED regarding allegations of financial irregularities.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had given a show-cause notice to Modi in May this year, charging him with financial irregularities in the Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket tournament.

Modi was accused of committing a wide range of corruption allegations, including bribery and tax evasion, resulting in his suspension from the post of IPL Commissioner in April. (ANI)