MEA to ask Britain to send back Modi

Government today said it would be taking up with Britain the issue of sending back former IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi from London as he is facing allegations of financial irregularities here.

"Yes, we have received a request from the Ministry of Finance to take the matter of certain issues that are still pending as regards Mr Lalit Modi's financial transactions. We have instructed our High Commissioner in London to take these up appropriately with the concerned authorities," External Affairs Ministry spokesman Syed Akbaruddin told reporters here.

"It is our intention to take this up," he said while replying to queries on the issue.
"When we get the feedback what this is, we will be in a position to indicate to you. And if there is reaction we will be able to give," he added.

Modi, who is facing probe over alleged financial irregularities in conduct of T20 cricket tournament, is living in London even though the Government of India has revoked his passport.

On reports that the Indian High Commission in London had sent a Note Verbale (a diplomatic letter) to British Foreign Ministry on the issue, Akbaruddin said he had no such information.

"At this point, I am not able to confirm.... We do not keep track of the mechanisms by which our High Commission communicates with chanceries all over the world," the spokesman said.