New Delhi, July 22: Former IPL chairman Lalit Modi on Wednesday said he plans to visit India later this year or early next year after receiving major legal relief from the Appellate Tribunal in the long-running 2009 IPL South Africa foreign exchange case, describing the ruling as the vindication of a 16-year battle.
In a video message posted on social media, Modi said the tribunal’s verdict had finally established the truth behind his stand on the case.
“I’m really happy with the verdict. It’s really been a great day. Sixteen years I have fought and whatever I have been saying to the media and to everybody has finally emerged as the truth,” Modi said.
The Appellate Tribunal under the Smugglers and Foreign Exchange Manipulators (Forfeiture of Property) Act (SAFEMA) on Tuesday set aside key penalties imposed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) against Modi and other former BCCI officials in connection with the conduct of the 2009 IPL in South Africa.
The tribunal held that the foreign remittances in question were current account transactions that did not require prior RBI approval and also ruled that Modi was not responsible for ensuring the BCCI’s compliance with the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA).
Modi, who has been living in London since leaving India in 2010 amid multiple investigations, said the legal chapter was now behind him. (PTI)
