The BJP government has finally decided to act tough against former IPL chief Lalit Modi. A Mumbai court has now issued a non-bailable warrant against former IPL chief Lalit Modi for his role in a case of alleged money laundering. Parliament is in a logjam ever since links between External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Rajasthan chief Minister Vasundhara Raje with former IPl czar emerged, leading to the Congress protest in parliament over the issue.

According to reports, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has pushed for a non-bailable warrant even after the court asked it on what grounds it was demanding the issue of a non-bailable warrant without a charge sheet being filed in the case.

If the court upholds the request, it would not only lead to Modi’s arrest as and when he returns from London, but also pave the way for the issuance of a Red Corner Notice against him, if he chooses to remain a fugitive from justice.

Last month, the court had issued letters rogatory (LR) to Singapore and Mauritius, seeking assistance from the authorities there, in the case. BCCI registered an FIR in Chennai against Modi, in 2010.

In 2008, the cricket body had awarded 10-year media rights to WSG for USD 918 million. WSG then entered into a deal with MSM to make Sony the official broadcaster.

The contract was replaced later with a nine-year deal where MSM paid WSG, USD 1.63 billion. In 2009, ED started a probe under Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) to investigate the allegation that payment of Rs 425 crore facilitation fee by MSM Singapore to WSG Mauritius, had been made in an unauthorised manner.