Former IPL commissioner Lalit Modi, long residing outside India, disclosed shocking revelations about threats he faced from D-Company. He explained that his decision to retire from cricket administration arose from repeated life-threatening warnings issued by underworld figures. Modi stated he never intended to escape India but claimed continuous pressure and intimidation forced him to step away.
Threats from D-Company Linked Syndicates
During an exclusive ANI interview, Modi detailed how D-Company directly influenced IPL’s betting markets. The mafia’s operations were extensive, with illegal wagers reaching nearly $2 billion initially and now climbing to $4 billion per season. Modi asserted that the syndicate manipulated betting at granular levels, focusing on individual overs and specific deliveries, rather than entire matches.
Spot-Fixing Methods Revealed
Lalit Modi described complex “spot-fixing” tactics used by mafia-linked bookies, who signaled which ball or over to target using subtle gestures. Modi emphasized that administrators, including himself, monitored these covert signals closely and refused to cooperate with any illicit arrangements, which provoked underworld hostility.
Satellite Phone Incident
In 2012, Modi recounted a particularly alarming episode where a fixer named “Baba” arranged a meeting at a London penthouse. The intermediary used a satellite phone to call D-Company directly, demanding Modi secure an IPL franchise under mafia influence. Modi refused, explaining he would not intervene, thereby inciting further threats and retaliation plans worldwide.
Escalation and Protective Measures
Following these refusals, Modi explained a global series of retaliation attempts. Mumbai police recorded multiple threats, and Modi received Z-category protection unexpectedly, despite not requesting it. Assassination plots emerged in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and even near the Montenegro-Croatia border. Additionally, Modi described how his son was briefly kidnapped in London to pressure compliance, which he resisted firmly.
Impact on IPL Administration
Modi highlighted that relocating IPL matches to South Africa disrupted mafia betting operations. He argued this shift directly harmed the illegal betting syndicates, who expected massive profits, and caused substantial financial losses for them. Modi’s firm stance ensured the integrity of the tournament remained intact, even while he faced personal danger.
Resolution with D-Company
The former IPL chief claimed the standoff ultimately eased after another D-Company figure, “Chhota Shakeel,” publicly confirmed reconciliation. Modi clarified that he guaranteed personal disengagement from cricket administration, which satisfied the underworld’s demands and ensured no further threats.
Modi’s Final Statement
Lalit Modi concluded by emphasizing that he would never expose himself to media, governmental, or criminal pressure unnecessarily. He reinforced that his decision to retire was purely for safety, protecting his family and preserving IPL’s credibility against mafia interference.
