Former Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman Lalit Kumar Modi has claimed to have secured significant legal relief in the long-running case related to the 2009 IPL season held in South Africa.
According to Lalit Modi, the Appellate Tribunal under the Smugglers and Foreign Exchange Manipulators (Forfeiture of Property) Act (SAFEMA), in its order dated 16 July 2026, rejected the principal basis of the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) case and set aside the key penalties imposed against him in the main proceedings.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Lalit Modi said the ruling followed more than 16 years of investigations, legal proceedings and litigation surrounding the staging of IPL 2009 in South Africa. He stated that the tribunal concluded the principal foreign remittances linked to the tournament were current account transactions rather than capital account transactions.
According to Lalit Modi, this finding fundamentally undermined the ED’s case.
Lalit Modi said the tribunal ruled that he was not responsible for BCCI’s FEMA compliance and lacked the financial powers alleged by the ED. He added that IPL 2009 was shifted to South Africa due to India’s general elections, helping the tournament continue and grow globally.
Lalit Modi said he had cooperated with the legal process throughout the case and remained confident that the facts and the law would ultimately prevail. He also thanked his legal team, family, friends and supporters for standing by him during the prolonged litigation.
Describing the order as more than a personal victory, Lalit Modi said it reaffirmed the importance of due legal process and justice based on evidence. He added that he would now focus on the future while continuing to pursue opportunities in global sport, business and philanthropy.
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