Did Refusing IPL Match-Fixing Lead To Dawood Ibrahim Threats And His Son's Kidnapping? Lalit Modi Claims So

Former ex-IPL Chief Lalit Modi has made sensational claims about alleged threats from fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim, saying his refusal to tolerate match-fixing and betting-related activities led to repeated intimidation, multiple attempts on his life, and even the kidnapping of his son in London.

Speaking in an interview with ANI, Lalit Modi said he had never publicly shared one particular incident before. Recalling an alleged encounter from 2012, Lalit Modi claimed he received a call at around 3:30 am while staying at a penthouse belonging to a mysterious figure known as "Baba".

According to Lalit Modi, he was unexpectedly connected to Dawood Ibrahim through a satellite phone call.

Lalit Modi Recalls Alleged Call From Dawood Ibrahim

"I have never told this story to anyone," Lalit Modi said, describing the incident.

Lalit Modi claimed that Dawood Ibrahim personally spoke to him and allegedly warned him to cooperate or face serious consequences.

"Dawood personally called me on satellite phone and warned me to work with them or face the consequences," Lalit Modi said.

Lalit Modi added that he had no idea where Dawood Ibrahim was located at the time of the call.

"I don't know where Dawood was when I spoke to him on the phone," he said.

Match-Fixing And Betting Pressure

The former IPL chief alleged that powerful betting syndicates were unhappy with several decisions taken during his tenure as IPL chairman.

According to Lalit Modi, his efforts to crack down on corruption, suspicious activities and match-fixing attempts created enemies within illegal betting networks. He claimed there was constant pressure to accommodate individuals linked to such operations, but he refused.

Lalit Modi has previously stated that illegal bookmakers suffered significant losses due to certain IPL-related decisions, including the tournament's move to South Africa in 2009, which allegedly disrupted betting calculations.

'Three Attempts On My Life'

Making further explosive allegations, Lalit Modi claimed that his resistance to match-fixing and betting interests came at a heavy personal cost.

"There were three attempts on my life," Lalit Modi alleged during the interview.

He further claimed that his family was also targeted.

"And my son was kidnapped in London, all because I refused to tolerate match-fixing," Lalit Modi said.

The former IPL commissioner did not provide additional details regarding the alleged kidnapping during the conversation.

Why Lalit Modi Left Cricket Administration

When asked about his exit from cricket administration, Lalit Modi suggested that safety concerns played a major role in his decision to step away from the sport.

Lalit Modi, who is credited with creating and transforming the IPL into one of the world's richest cricket leagues, left India in 2010 after facing investigations into financial and governance-related allegations. He has since been living in London.

Over the years, Lalit Modi has maintained that threats from the underworld and concerns for his family's safety were among the key reasons behind his decision to remain away from cricket administration.

The allegations made by Lalit Modi regarding Dawood Ibrahim, match-fixing networks, attempts on his life and the alleged kidnapping of his son have not been independently verified.