Nirav Modi
Born on February 27, 1971, Nirav Modi is an Indian fugitive businessman wanted by Interpol and judicial authorities of India for criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, cheating and dishonesty including delivery of property, corruption, money laundering since February 2018.
Modi is the founder of “Nirav Modi Global Diamond Jewellery House”, established in 2010. He was the first Indian jeweller to have been featured on the covers of Christie’s and Sotheby’s Catalogues.
He is being investigated in a USD 2 billion fraud case of Punjab National Bank (PNB). In March 2018, he applied for bankruptcy protection in Manhattan, New York. In April 2018, it was alleged Modi had found safe haven in Hong Kong. In June, 2018, he was reported to have arrived in the UK where he applied for asylum with Britain’s Home Office stating he was a victim of “political persecution” and denied any wrongdoing.
Lalit Modi
Lalit Modi, born on November 29, 1963, is an Indian businessman and cricket administrator. He was the first Chairman and Commissioner of Indian Premier League (IPL), and ran the tournament for three years until 2010. He also served as the Chairman of the Champions League during 2008–10. He was the Vice-President of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) during 2005–10.
In 2010, Modi alleged that Congress Minister Shashi Tharoor held indirect free equity in Kerala IPL franchise - Kochi Tuskers. This ultimately led to Tharoor’s resignation. Shortly after IPL 2010 ended, Modi was suspended from BCCI after being accused of misconduct, indiscipline and financial irregularities. BCCI launched an investigation against him, and banned him for life in 2013 after a committee found him guilty of these charges.
Shortly before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) launched an investigation against him for alleged financial irregularities, Modi moved to London. The ED had requested Interpol to issue a global warrant against Modi. However, in 2017, Interpol which had been delaying the issuance, rejected this request.
