Apr.20, 2010, 00:00

Dubai: Lalit Modi, the chairman and commissioner of the Indian Premier League (IPL), has been accused of match fixing, money laundering and money acquired through illegal means.

Within few hours after Shashi Tharoor, the Union Minister of State for External Affairs, was forced to resign following a spat with Modi, highly placed sources in the IT department revealed to Economic Times that Modi has a life style that includes a private jet, a luxury yacht and fleet of Mercedes S-class and BMW cars all acquired ever since he became the head of the IPL.

The BCCI officials Sharad Pawar, I.S. Bindra and Modi, who are in Dubai to attend the International Cricket Council (ICC) meeting, fully aware of the aftermath of Tharoor's resignation, huddled up in a closed door meeting on Sunday evening for many hours.

Leaked details

Pawar, who was supposed to unveil the cricket gallery of a cricket aficionado, even skipped the function as IT sources leaked details on Modi to India's leading business newspaper.

The news of Modi's fraudulent activities spread like wildfire.

Modi, despite being busy with the ICC board meeting at the ICC office in Dubai, wrote on his twitter page that the charges were nonsense and aimed at discrediting the IPL.

"I will initiate appropriate legal action against such [a] defamatory and malicious campaign against me by a motivated section of [the] media," Modi said.

According to reports, Modi's activities were being closely observed by the IT department for over six months ever since he hit out at Home Minister P. Chidambaram for not permitting the second edition of IPL matches in India.

Modi's alleged fraudulent acts include the manipulation of land deals in Rajasthan, use of off-shore entities to route payments and equity stakes worth millions. The reports also alleges Modi of involvement in betting.

Investigators have also accessed Modi's email and conversations on a UK registered cell phone number.

Reports also say Modi has silent ownership in Rajasthan Royals, Kolkata Knight Riders and Kings XI Punjab.

Meanwhile, according to sources in India, hectic activities are on to oust Modi and rescue the IPL.

Taking the lead is the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Shashank Manohar and secretary N. Srinivasan. They are reportedly upset with Pawar's support for Modi.

However, to rescue IPL and Indian cricket from this mess, the BCCI may have to sack Modi. The BCCI's decision on Modi is expected to be taken on May 2 or immediately after the final of the IPL on April 26.

If match fixing claims are proved then it may destroy the IPL forever and can even affect the 2011 World Cup to be hosted by India along with Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

Should Modi be removed as IPL commissioner? Can the tournament do without him?