MEA to approach UK for Modi's extradition after ED response

The External Affairs ministry will approach the United Kingdom for extradition of former Indian Premiere League chairman Lalit Modi, facing money laundering charges, once the Enforcement Directorate investigating the case has responded to certain suggestions made by it in the matter.

Last month, the Enforcement Directorate had requested the ministry of External Affairs to take up with the British authorities the issue of extraditing Modi to India. Following the communication from ED the MEA's legal team examined the matter.

"Keeping in mind the sensitivity of the case, the ED has been requested to intimate their concurrence on the options and suggestions made by the MEA and to advise us how to proceed further in the matter. Now, we are awaiting comments of the Enforcement Directorate," spokesperson in the ministry of External Affairs Vikas Swarup said.

He said MEA's legal experts have vetted the extradition request, adding it would be sent to British authorities after getting ED's response.

The ED wants Modi to "join investigation" in a case relating to IPL T-20 cricket tournament after a first information report was registered against him and others under the provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

A special court in Mumbai had two months back issued an order allowing the ED to begin extradition proceedings against Modi in connection with the money laundering case, which also involves some other people.

In August last year, the agency had moved the Interpol for a red corner notice against Modi but the international police body has not obliged it as yet. Interpol authorities have, time and again, sought additional information from ED investigators on their money laundering case against Modi as part of the process to issue a world-wide warrant against him.

The ED is probing Modi, the IPL and its executives for alleged violation of anti-money laundering laws after registering a criminal FIR in 2012. The FIR was filed after the central agency took cognisance of a cheating complaint filed by former BCCI chief N Srinivasan against Modi and half a dozen others with the Chennai police.

The ED subsequently invoked PMLA along with sections 420 (cheating) and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code to probe if BCCI-IPL and the exchequer had been cheated in the award of telecast rights for the T-20 tournament in 2009.

As per ED investigators, they have substantial evidence to state that Modi is based in the UK at present. Modi has denied any wrong doing.