ED unlikely to accept Modi's request for questioning in London

New Delhi, Oct 10 (PTI) India's Enforcement Directorate
is unlikely to accept former Indian Premier League
Commissioner Lalit Modi's request to be questioned in London
in connection with a probe into alleged irregularities in the
T20 cricket tournament and his passport may be revoked if he
fails to appear before it.
While Modi has been maintaining that he had always
cooperated with the ED and that he is ready to appear before
the agency personally in London or through video conferencing,
the agency is likely to put its foot down and ask him to
appear before it in India.
"Going to London to question him is not possible. He
has to come back here. We are hopeful that he will understand
and come here," official sources said.
Asked if the ED will revoke Modi's passport, the sources
said revoking his passport is a long process but this
option will be exercised if Modi continued to evade his
appearance.
Incidentally, an international Blue Notice Alert was
issued against Modi recently by the ED for alleged "serious
contraventions" of the foreign exchange law in the IPL
tournaments.
The 'Blue Notice' is issued through the Interpol to
collect additional information about a person's identity or
activities in relation to a crime.
Modi, responding to the reports of the notice, had
said "no show cause notice alleging any irregularities
regarding Foreign Exchange has been served" on him by the ED.
"The Enforcement Directorate had addressed communications
to Modi to present himself with documents. He has always
co-operated with the department. He has furnished the
Enforcement Directorate with copies of all required documents
which were available with him," a statement released by Modi
recently had said.