IPL gate: Lalit Modi sacked as IPL Commissioner: To appeal in the Bombay High Court or Supreme Court

It is learnt that immediately after the BCCI announced – upon completion of the finals match between Mumbai and Chennai – that Lalit Modi has been suspended and sacked (for a period of six months) by the BCCI, the Lalit Modi camp said that they would knock on the doors of the Bombay High Court and maybe even the Supreme Court of India the first thing on Monday morning. There is much drama expected on Monday morning as the Lalit Modi camp takes recourse to the courts of the land.

Sources said that even IPL CEO Sundar Raman may have his wings clipped. A three-member panel will now run the IPL as no new interim IPL Commissioner or IPL Chairman has been announced.

IPLgate: BCCI arbitrarily sacks Lalit Modi as IPL Commissioner and IPL chairman for six months for IPL scam

A four member BCCI panel that included Arun Jaitley, Shashank Manohar, Rajive Shukla and Ratnakar Shetty drafted and finalized the charge-sheet and show cause notice to Lalit Modi suspending him as IPL Commissioner and IPL Chairman for six months. He has been charged with finanical misdeeds, breach of trust and confidentiality. He has also been prevented from attending BCCI governing council meetings.

Says Flynn Remedios author of the under-publication IPL Gate and an unofficial biography on “Lalit Modi – the man we all love and hate”, “My reliable sources within the BCCI tell me that all the paper work required to suspend Lalit Modi as IPL Commissioner and issue him a show cause notice for flouting norms and impropriation is ready. The paper work was ready as of 8 pm on Sunday evening. It has merely to be delivered to Lalit Modi. The BCCI top brass is waiting for the right moment or should we say opportune moment to forward the official notice to Lalit Modi and also announce the same to the media immediately after the match is over.

This move has raised eyebrows all over proving that the BCCI is a body of emotional immature persons…

IPLgate: Lalit Modi suspended as IPL Commissioner as Chennai Super Kings trump Mumbai Indians by 22 runs?

Has the beleaguered IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi been suspended by the BCCI Board? Sources say YES. It’s just the official announcement that remains to be done.

And the official announcement came within seconds of the IPL final. Lalit Modi was sent an email by the BCCI quoting article 32 of the BCCI charter. Lalit Modi has been accused of various misdeeds and has been showcaused by the BCCI.

Says Flynn Remedios author of the under-publication IPL Gate and an unofficial biography on “Lalit Modi – the man we all love and hate”, “My reliable sources within the BCCI tell me that all the paper work required to suspend Lalit Modi as IPL Commissioner and issue him a show cause notice for flouting norms and impropriation is ready. The paper work was ready as of 8 pm on Sunday evening. It has merely to be delivered to Lalit Modi. The BCCI top brass is waiting for the right moment or should we say opportune moment to forward the official notice to Lalit Modi and also announce the same to the media. 

The BCCI President Shashank Manohar was till Sunday morning hopeful of reaching a face-saving compromise formula with Lalit Modi. Shashank Manohar wanted to avoid at all cost a direct confrontation with Lalit Modi whom everyone within the BCCI knows is a walking encyclopedia of dangerous information. If Modi opens his mouth, several heads could roll within the BCCI. Modi’s revenge would also take its toll within the government and at least two Ministers are likely to feel the heat, if not loose their chairs. 

However, Lalit Modi’s tweet saying that he would attend the BCCI governing council meeting on Monday and also chair it, pulled the rug from the BCCI’s feet. The decided to keep all the paperwork ready just in case Lalit Modi made one more wrong move. 

Meanwhile the Chennai Super Kings beat Mumbai Indians  by 22 runs becoming IPL champions 2010.

IPLgate: Ravi Shastri or Lalit Modi? Who is better?

Author of the yet-to-be published IPL Gate and Lalit Modi’s unofficial biography titled “The Lalit Modi we all love and hate” Flynn Remedios says that Lalit Modi is “more” capable and qualified than Ravi Shastri to run the IPL.. watch this space for the full article soon…

IPL scam: Lalit Modi must get a chance to defend himself in IPL gate!

By Flynn Remedios – Futuristic Media Network

 

We live in India this great democracy where the judicial system still works. We pride in our pillars of democracy. We pride in our free press. We pride in the fact that even a poor man “can” get justice in India. No man is guilty unless proven guilty. Even if ten guilty people get away free, not a single innocent man should be punished are the ideals on which our legal system functions. 

We must give Lalit Modi a chance to defend himself. He must get a chance to prepare his defense and answer all the allegations made against him. Unlike Shashi Tharoor, Lalit Modi is not a public servant or government servant. He was running a purely commercial establishment outfit geared to make maximum profits at all costs. 

Lalit Modi’s only guilt as of now is his indiscretion in giving out details on Twitter.  As IPL Commissioner, Lalit Modi should not have selectively given out the share holding pattern of one franchise on Twitter. He should have exercised discretion and prudence in this matter. He should not have let emotions get the better of him and his mental faculties. As far as all the wild allegations of match fixing, fraud, forgery, betting, money laundering, embezzlement, etc are concerned they are all just allegations. They need to be proven in a court of law by means of a fair trial. Lalit Modi must have an opportunity to speak up. 

In that sense, Lalit Modi’s plea for a few days to prepare his defense is fully justified. The BCCI should show that it is a purely professional body and does not go by mere wild allegations appearing in the media. Even Saddam Hussain got an opportunity to face trial. The BCCI should first show cause Lalit Modi or conduct an open enquiry into all the allegations, but asking him to step down or quit without any opportunity to be heard is surely unfair. 

In our judicial system, even murderers and rapists get several months to prepare their defense and then face trial. They get various opportunities to defend themselves through Revision Applications and Appeals. Why shouldn’t Lalit Modi be given a chance to speak up? Weren’t the BCCI bigwigs aware of what was going on. 

In that sense BCCI President Shashant Manohar must accept responsibility and also step down owing moral responsibility for all the mess. To say that Shashank Manohar and others were not really aware of what is going on within the IPL is sheer stupidity. They were all probably in the know of what was going on. They just turned a blind eye. 

If even if one per cent of the allegations against Lalit Modi are true, Lalit Modi could not have run the show with the active support of several BCCI and several others. To make Lalit Modi the fall guy would be hara kiri for the BCCI, because many of them would be signing their death warrants. A bitter and revengeful Lalit Modi is sure to hit out with the vengeance of a tornado. In that sense Shashank Manohar seems to be immature and wearing kid gloves. If he wants to save the good name of the BCCI and whatever equity is left of the IPL, he must follow the process of law. He must give Lalit Modi the time he wants – a few days will not harm anyone. The BCCI is considered as “state” in law and there is a standard procedure set out for such situations. The procedure must be followed. Asking Lalit Modi to arbitrarily quit may lay off the media pressure for a few days. But in the long run it will only harm the BCCI, IPL and cricket in India at large, because more harm will befall the BCCI.

Lalit Modi must get a fair trial. Lalit Modi must get justice. And justice must be seen to be done. We cannot get carried away by media hype. The BCCI must not let emotions rule it, but it should be governed by the rule of law. This entire scam was a result of non confirmation to SOP or standard operating procedure. The BCCI should in its rules have banned the use of public forums like Twitter for employees and officials to vent their spleen. The BCCI should have show caused Lalit Modi when he first tweeted and sent him an official memo or notice asking him to show cause why he should not be sacked for flouting the rule book.

 

IPL gate: Lalit Modi’s biography titled The Lalit Modi we all loved and hated

The IPL controversy or IPLgate or the IPL scam as it has come to be known as has generated reams and reams of newsprint with newspapers dedicating teams of reporters to cover the tamasha. Sports reporters or cricket correspondents have probably never felt or made to feel so important in any publication. 

Now freelance journalist and author Flynn Remedios is burning the midnight oil trying to get out Lalit Modi’s biography before the controversy dies down. Says Flynn Remedios, “For the last two weeks the media has gone to town and most news channels have dedicated almost or more than 60 per cent of their news telecast time to the IPL controversy or IPL gate. A lot of incorrect information or data is coming out in the media. The real controversy lies buried six feet under. There is much much more to IPLgate than meets the eye. Many more big names are involved. There is the match fixing and betting rackets and some prominent names will definitely come out. My books will reveal much more than what is being seen right now. Skeletons will tumble out of the closets, dressing rooms and drawers like bees coming out of a beehive.” 

Besides Lalit Modi’s biography, it is also learnt that Flynn Remedios is working on a film script on the IPL saga for a well-known film director and producer and another book titled IPL gate.

Asked how long it will take before the books can hit the book shelves of stores, Flynn quips, “Maybe a month, maybe two months. It depends on how fast my publishers can print it.”

IPLgate: Twittergate, IPL gate or IPL scam. The tweets keep coming in support of Lalit Modi

Twitter has become the official spokesperson for all the characters in the IPL saga. It all started with Lalit Modi’s tweet about the shareholding pattern of the Kochi franchisee alleging that former Union Minister of State for Home Shashi Tharoor had a stake in the Kochi franchisee through his close friend and associate Sunanda Pushkar. This lead to an uproar in Parliament with the opposition demanding Tharoor’s head. A defiant Tharoor who claimed he was innocent and there was no need for his resignation was eventually forced to resign by the Prime Minister Dr Manmahon Singh after the Congress Core Group gave him the thumbs down. 

Almost a forthnight later into the controversy as allegations of match fixing, match and performance outcome fixing, money laundering, fraud, cheating, bribery and what not continue to fly fast and free, Twitter continues to be the official media for the parties concerned.

 On Saturday Shashi Tharoor broke his silence in the virtual world when the tweeted that he would feel his resignation was worth it if the truth came out. This was followed by tweets by other personalities like Shah Rukh Khan, Shilpa Shetty and others.

 

Here’s a list of all the Tweets courtesy Times of India: 

IPL commissioner Lalit Modi, who is under intense pressure to resign from his post after I-T officials began probing IPL finances, on Saturday put out his message on Twitter saying he won’t resign.

Modi said, “People pressurising me to resign – I can tell you will not happen. Let them remove me then.”

“I am not the type to quit. Have faith. Did not create this to just walk away because xyz says what they feel like,” Modi declared.

“What we have done has been there for all of you to see for the past four years. No one can take that away,” he added on Twitter.

“Media is putting stories without verification goes to show how media can misuse there power. Don’t get influenced by all these baseless stories,” he wrote.

“Truth will prevail soon. Trial by media and no chance to present the facts is like the wild west. Wait and the facts will be delivered,” he said.

Tweeting about the IPL controversy, Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan, co-owner of Kolkata Knight Riders wrote, “IPL controversy: fast, furious & too much noise. Like the T20 itself. Hope it gets resolved as fast too for our friend Lalit & franchises.”

“Had a great time. Could not stay back as had a shoot in the morning. All of us smiled through a tinge of sadness,” Shah Rukh added.

Royal Challengers Bangalore’s Vijay Mallya tweeted that despite media bashing it was heart warming to witness applause by owners/ players for Lalit Modi at the awards for the fine job he has done.

“It was so nice to see Lalit smile despite all hell breaking loose in the media. You have to give it to him for making IPL what it is “, actress Preity Zinta, co-promoter of Kings XI Punjab, posted in her tweets.

Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty of Rajasthan Royals said she supported full and fair investigations.

“Full and fair investigation of IPL will compel loud mouths to shut up by realizing the true value of sixth largest sporting event in world”, Shilpa said in her tweets. 

 

 

IPL scam: Defiant Lalit Modi refuses to resign or quit. Wants to call the shots as Vijay Mallaya, Sharad Pawar broker peace with BCCI

Despite growing pressure from his own supporters and well-wishers like Sharad Pawar and Vijay Mallaya who have openly supported Lalit Modi for his charisma, zeal and enthusiasm, a defiant Lalit Modi would like to dictate terms to the BCCI vis-à-vis his exit. 

Lalit Modi wants a new post or position with similar powers created for him within the BCCI and a face saving joint press conference that will “announce” his new position for his “fantastic work and for taking IPL to new heights”, say sources. 

While BCCI President Shashank Manohar is insisting on nothing less than an out-and-clear resignation, Lalit Modi wants a mid-way option which will enable him to retain some of his powers. 

In a statement released to a couple of channels including CNN-IBN and Headlines Today, Modi said on Saturday afternoon that he is not quitting or resigning or stepping down. “I have only asked the BCCI and Mr Sharad Pawar to give a few days to prepare my defense and put together tons of data.” 

Lalit Modi refused to confirm if he would be attending the BCCI governing board meeting on Monday 26^th April.

IPL gate: Lalit Modi insists that he is not quitting, resigning or stepping down

While most media news channels have been reporting today (Saturday) that BCCI sources say Lalit Modi will be stepping down after a compromise formula has been worked out by Sharad Pawar between BCCI President Shashank Manohar and Modi, the defiant Lalit Modi asserted that he is not stepping down, resigning or quitting. 

In a statement released to a couple of channels including CNN-IBN and Headlines Today, Modi said on Saturday afternoon that he is not quitting or resigning or stepping down. “I have only asked the BCCI and Mr Sharad Pawar to give a few days to prepare my defense and put together tons of data.” 

Lalit Modi refused to confirm if he would be attending the BCCI governing board meeting on Monday 26^th April.

IPLgate: BCCI gives in to Lalit Modi’s threats, carrot and stick method. Works out compromise formula for Lalit Modi exit.

 

It is learnt from unconfirmed sources that the BCCI has given in to Lalit Modi’s threats and carrot and stick method. All senior BCCI officials are aware that while Lalit Modi may or may not be guilty of wrong doing and other allegations leveled against him, he has loads of information and data which could be used to rock many a boat in the BCCI. 

Lalit Modi’s internal and secret information could even rock the government. Two to three Union Ministers are already in trouble and many more skeletons may come out of the closet if the BCCI takes on Lalit Modi head on. 

This fact was impressed upon Shashank Manohar by Sharad Pawar who has been brokering peace between the warring parties who offered a mid-way for both the parties. 

Sharad Pawar’s formula means that Lalit Modi will attend the governing council meeting on 26^th and step down on his own. In return the BCCI will allow Lalit Modi to continue as Vice President and not SACK HIM. The IPL Commissioner’s post may be re-constituted and re-engineered with someone like Ravi Shastri taking over with much reduced powers. 

According to the latest news sources, Lalit Modi has agreed to step down as IPL Commissioner. Sharad Pawar who has been trying to broker peace between the BCCI and Lalit Mod has worked out a compromise deal between the Lalit Modi and Shashank Manohar. 

Apparently Lalit Modi has agreed to step down after the finals on 25^th April or latest 26^th April. This development happened after Sharad Pawar got BCCI President Shashank Manohar to speak to Lalit Modi on Friday night. According to sources, the two hadn’t spoken to each other for the last ten days and haven’t met face to face for the last 12 days.

A compromise formula has been worked out. Shashank Manohar told Lalit Modi he has to resign or step down. According to Manohar, all the government agencies – the IT dept, the DRI, the CBDT and including the CBI has been knocking on the BCCI doors and the BCCI is under investigation from all fronts. Also the ruckus in parliament, the demand for a joint parliamentary probe by the opposition, the inclusion of other political names were sparked off after Lalit Modi’s spat with Shashi Tharoor and his arbitrary and uncalled for tweets on Twitter.

Lalit Modi who was buying for time and pleading for a few days to prepare his defense lost his footing when his only supporter Sharad Pawar told him in no uncertain terms that he must go.