Non-bailable arrest warrant issued against former IPL boss Lalit Modi

Mumbai: A special court for Prevention of Money Laundering Act on Wednesday issued a non-bailable arrest warrant (NBW) against former IPL boss Lalit Modi in connection with a case of money laundering following a plea by the Enforcement Directorate. “Your (ED’s) application is allowed,” said Special Judge P.R. Bhavake while issuing the NBW.

ED had moved the special court last week seeking NBW against Mr Modi after he did not respond to summons sent to him. According to ED sources, this warrant will be sent to the ministry of external affairs, which in turn will be sending it to the United Kingdom. Mr Modi left the country shortly after the ED began its probe against him in 2009.

However, getting the NBW order did not come easy for the probe agency as the judge first questioned ED’s delay in seeking the NBW and later raised the jurisdictional issue too. The court also wanted to know why the agency was not arresting him and had sought the NBW.