New Delhi: Former Indian Premier League commissioner Lalit Modi has claimed that threats from fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim and his alleged criminal network were a key reason behind his decision to step away from cricket administration more than a decade ago.
In an interview, Modi alleged that his efforts to curb match-fixing and illegal betting during the IPL’s formative years brought him into direct conflict with powerful betting syndicates. According to him, his refusal to ignore suspicious activities made him a target of organised crime groups involved in underground cricket betting.
Modi claimed that illegal betting on cricket has grown into a multi-billion-dollar enterprise, with wagers placed on individual deliveries, overs and specific in-game events. He alleged that modern spot-fixing operations often rely on subtle signals exchanged on the field, making them increasingly difficult to detect.
The former IPL chief maintained that he took strict action against individuals suspected of involvement in betting-related activities during the league’s early seasons. He alleged that his actions were met with resistance from criminal networks and that he was offered substantial sums of money to overlook such activities, offers he claimed to have rejected.
Recalling an alleged incident in London, Modi said he was invited to a late-night meeting with individuals seeking influence within the IPL. He claimed the discussion involved efforts to secure a franchise and that an intermediary attempted to connect him with Dawood Ibrahim through a satellite phone call. Modi said he refused to engage in the conversation.
He further alleged that following his refusal to cooperate, he faced multiple threats to his life. Modi claimed there were three separate assassination attempts targeting him in different countries, including South Africa and Montenegro, which he said were thwarted by authorities.
Among his most serious allegations, Modi stated that his son was briefly kidnapped in London during the period of heightened tensions. He also claimed that he was provided with high-level security protection in Mumbai after authorities became aware of threats against him.
The allegations made by Modi have not been independently verified. Neither Dawood Ibrahim nor any alleged associates named by Modi have publicly responded to the claims.
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