Former Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman Lalit Modi has once again spoken publicly about the reasons behind his departure from India and cricket administration. In a recent interview, Modi claimed that serious threats to his life and family, allegedly linked to underworld figures, played a major role in his decision to leave the country and stay abroad.
His comments have reignited discussions about one of the most controversial figures in Indian cricket history.
Lalit Modi Opens Up About Leaving India
Lalit Modi, the architect of the IPL, said that his decision to leave India in 2010 was not because of corruption allegations, as many critics have claimed. Instead, he stated that he faced repeated threats from underworld networks and feared for the safety of himself and his family.
According to Modi, the threats began during the early years of the IPL. He claimed that his strict stance against corruption and illegal betting made him a target of powerful criminal groups connected to betting syndicates.
Claims of Threats From Dawood Ibrahim’s Network
One of the most striking claims made by Modi is that underworld figures, including fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim and his associates, allegedly ordered attacks against him.
Modi said that he received warnings about possible assassination attempts and was advised that his security could no longer guarantee his safety. He claims this situation forced him to leave India on short notice.
His allegations are not entirely new. Over the years, reports have surfaced about threats against him, and previous court proceedings in the United Kingdom reportedly considered security concerns while reviewing his immigration-related matters.
“My Son Was Kidnapped,” Claims Modi
In perhaps the most shocking part of his recent remarks, Lalit Modi claimed that his son was kidnapped in the United Kingdom during the period when threats against his family were at their highest.
While detailed information about the alleged incident has not been publicly verified through official records, Modi stated that the event demonstrated how serious the threats against his family had become.
He suggested that criminal groups attempted to pressure him through intimidation and attacks on people close to him.
Multiple Alleged Attempts on His Life
Modi further claimed that there were several attempts to target him in different countries over the years.
According to his statements, security threats followed him even after he left India. He alleged that incidents occurred in locations such as Thailand, South Africa, and Montenegro. These claims have added another layer to the long-running controversy surrounding his exile from India.
IPL, Betting, and Match-Fixing Allegations
The former IPL chief also revisited the issue of betting and corruption in cricket.
Modi said he maintained a strict anti-corruption approach during his tenure as IPL commissioner. He argued that his efforts to curb illegal betting activities created powerful enemies who wanted him removed from the cricket ecosystem.
He has repeatedly maintained that he acted to protect the integrity of the IPL and claims that many of the problems associated with corruption in cricket became more visible after his departure from the league. These remain his personal assertions and continue to be debated within cricket circles.
The Rise and Fall of the IPL Founder
Lalit Modi is widely credited with creating the IPL in 2008, a tournament that transformed cricket into a global entertainment and business powerhouse. The league attracted top international players, major sponsors, and millions of viewers worldwide.
However, his successful cricket career was followed by controversy. In 2010, he was suspended by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) over allegations related to financial irregularities and governance issues. Later, he was banned from cricket administration for life. Modi has consistently denied wrongdoing and has argued that the allegations were politically motivated.
Why the Story Matters Today
More than a decade after leaving India, Lalit Modi remains one of the most talked-about figures in cricket administration. His latest comments have brought renewed attention to unresolved questions surrounding the IPL’s early years, betting concerns, security threats, and his long stay abroad.
While many of his recent statements are difficult to independently verify, they offer insight into how Modi views the events that changed his life and career.
