Lalit Modi announced he now holds British citizenship, sixteen years after he left India. He shared the news on King Charles III’s birthday. Modi said, “If I was running, you would be picking me up somewhere or the other.” He remains in London following a 2013 life ban from cricket.
Describing citizenship as both a privilege and a responsibility, he pledged to continue contributing positively to the country. He also thanked his family, friends, and the Oxford Union, noting that sharing the news on King Charles III’s birthday made the day particularly special before signing off with “God Save the King!”.
Lalit Modi’s rise as the architect of the Indian Premier League
In 2008, Lalit Modi served as the driving force behind the launch of the Indian Premier League (IPL), successfully blending glamour with T20 cricket to create a global sporting powerhouse. He further proved the tournament’s international appeal in 2009 when he successfully relocated the entire season to South Africa due to general elections in India.
Relocated to London after BCCI suspension, life ban
Shortly after the 2010 IPL final, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) suspended Lalit Modi over allegations of misconduct, indiscipline, and financial irregularities linked to rigging bids for two new franchises, Pune and Kochi. Following an internal investigation, a BCCI committee found him guilty and imposed a life ban in 2013. Modi has since resided in London, repeatedly maintaining his innocence. In 2022, Modi announced that he is dating first Indian Miss Universe actress, Sushmita Sen.
Modi’s U-turn from ‘biggest fugitive’ to ‘I am not running’
In a video message posted on X in December 2025, Lalit Modi, along with Vijay Mallya said: ‘We are the biggest fugitives.’ However, in July 2026, Lalit Modi in an interview with news agency ANI, said that he is not running at all and that he is not a fugitive. He said that despite various charges, no criminal prosecution has resulted in any concrete conviction against him.
“If I was running, you would be picking me up somewhere or the other. The Indian government has a long arm. You can’t take on the government of India. And I don’t intend to. It’s not the government. It’s the media,” Lalit Modi said.
Mumbai court issued non-bailable arrest warrant in 2015
A special court in Mumbai had issued a non-bailable arrest warrant against former Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman Lalit Modi in 2015 for his alleged involvement in a money-laundering case registered by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).