Why red corner notice against Lalit Modi? Interpol asks Enforcement Directorate

New Delhi: According a report in the Indian Express, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on August 20 was asked to explain by Interpol as to why a Red Corner Notice (RCN) should be issued against Lalit Modi.

The former IPL czar is currently facing a probe for his alleged role in money laundering. The RCN is an international lookout notice for a fugitive.

Interpol Secretariat has also raised queries with regards to evidences available against Modi.

“Interpol has no locus standi in asking any sovereign nation for details of investigation once the nodal agency, in our case the CBI, submits requests for issue of a Red Corner Notice. Interpol is a mere facilitating agency. It is also unheard of that Interpol gives an opportunity for submission to someone who is a subject of RCN,” a senior officer, was quoted as saying in the report.

“Further to my earlier message, I reiterate that Interpol concedes that it will not act on any request from India on LKM without allowing us to be heard first. This unprecedented decision of Interpol means that if the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) of India is indeed asked by the enforcement directorate to issue a red notice against Mr Lalit Modi and this request will be sent to Interpol headquarters in Lyon, Interpol Lyon would contact us first to react to this request,” Petra De Krijger, Director of Lindeborg, the firm which represents Modi stated in an email.

Interpol is expected to take a decision on Modi later in the month.

As of now, there are 16 cases registered by ED against Modi, of which, 15 cases are under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) and one under PMLA.