Cable News Network-Indian Broadcasting Network (CNN-IBN) is an English-language Indian television news channel. The network is a partnership between Global Broadcast News (GBN) and Turner International (Turner) in India (a subsidiary of Time Warner). Rajdeep Sardesai is the Editor-in-Chief of the network. The Indian company GBN runs the channel completely but uses the CNN brand name, in return gave 26% stake to Time Warner.

The network broadcasts 24-hour a day, 365 days a year. The network models most of its programming on that of United States cable news provider CNN, with current-event talk programs mixed with news reports. The flagship evening program is India at 9 (known for breaking news events, such as the 11 July 2006 Mumbai train bombings and the 2008 Mumbai attacks). It is one of the first news channels in India to use the concept of citizen journalism, whereby any person can send in a report that will be aired in a separate section.

CNN-IBN has been accused of having congress bias and bring more pro congress people to their discussion panels. The channel has also been accused of showing fabricated comments on Twitter and videos in their live shows.^[1][2]

Questions on ethics[link]

A controversy about some fake Twitter comments run on the screen during a news show raised questions about the reliability of instant feedback from viewers. The officials later apologized saying that the source of viewer comment was wrongly stated as twitter.^[3]

On November 2011, in its Prime Time show (Face The Nation), the channel broadcasted a pre-recorded interview of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar as a live television debate. The show was hosted by the Deputy Editor of the channel, Sagarika Ghose, who also happens to be the wife of the channel's Editor, Rajdeep Sardesai. On public outcry, the anchor issued a public apology on twitter, web and TV,^[2][4],.^[5] The episode broadcasted by the channel has not been hosted on the show's homepage.^[1]

Controversies[link]

Commonwealth Games Contract[link]

On August 5, 2011 Comptroller and Auditor General of India's report on XIX Commonwealth Games was tabled in Parliament of India. In section 14.4.2 of the report, CAG alleged that while awarding contracts worth Rs 3.78 crore for production & broadcasting of commercials for promoting CWG-2010 to CNN-IBN & NDTV, the Commonwealth Games Organizing Committee followed an arbitrary approach. Proposals were considered in an ad hoc manner, as and when a proposal was received; no form of competitive tendering was adopted. The CAG further said in its report that, "We had no assurance about the competitiveness of the rates quoted by these channels and the need and usefulness of these proposals. From March 2010 to June 2010, the entire pre games publicity and sponsorship publicity was done only on NDTV & CNN-IBN."^[6][7][8]

See also[link]

• 24-hour television news channels
• Global Broadcast News
• List of Indian television stations
• Time Warner
• Turner Broadcasting System

Competitors[link]

• Bloomberg UTV
• CNBC Awaaz
• CNBC-TV18
• ET Now
• Headlines Today
• NDTV 24x7
• NDTV Profit
• NewsX
• Times Now
• Zee Business

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official website (Mobile)
• CNN-IBN on Twitter
• CNN-IBN on Facebook

This article's factual accuracy may be compromised due to out-of-date information. Please help improve the article by updating it. There may be additional information on the talk page. (January 2011)

Kamal Nath
Nath at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, 2008
Union Minister for Urban Development
Incumbent
Assumed office January 19, 2011
Preceded by	Jaipal Reddy
Constituency	Chhindwara
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways
In office May 22, 2009 - January 18, 2011
Preceded by	T R Baalu
Succeeded by	C. P. Joshi
Constituency	Chhindwara
MP
Incumbent
Assumed office 1980
Preceded by	Gargishankar Ramkrishna Mishra
Constituency	Chhindwara
Union Minister for Commerce and Industry
In office May 2004 – April 2009
Constituency	Chhindwara
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for the Textiles
In office 1995–1996
Constituency	Chhindwara
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for the Environment and Forests
In office 1991–1995
Constituency	Chhindwara
Personal details
Born	(1946-11-18) 18 November 1946 (age 65) Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh
Political party	INC
Spouse(s)	Alka Nath
Children	2 sons
Residence	Chhindwara
Religion	Hinduism
Signature	Kamal Nath's signature
As of September 22, 2006 Source: [2]

Kamal Nath (born 18 November 1946) is an Indian politician and the current Union Cabinet Minister of Urban Development. He is a member of the 15th Lok Sabha of India. He represents the Chhindwara constituency of Madhya Pradesh and is a member of the Indian National Congress (INC).^[1]

Early life[link]

Born in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. He is an alumnus of The Doon School,^[2] and a graduate of St. Xavier's College of the University of Calcutta.^[1]

Career[link]

Political career[link]

Kamal Nath was first elected to the 7th Lok Sabha in 1980.^[3] He was re-elected to the 8th Lok Sabha in 1985, the 9th Lok Sabha in 1989, and the 10th Lok Sabha in 1991.

He was inducted into the Union Council of Ministers, Ministry of Environment and Forests as Minister of Environment & Forests in June 1991.^[4] From 1995 to 1996 he served as Union Minister of State, Textiles (Independent Charge).^[5]

He was then elected to the 12th Lok Sabha in 1998 and the 13th Lok Sabha in 1999. From 2001 to 2004, he was the General Secretary of the INC.^[6] He was re-elected to the 14th Lok Sabha in the 2004 elections and served as Union Cabinet Minister of Commerce & Industry from 2004 to 2009.

On May 16, 2009 he again won the elections from his constituency for the 15th Lok Sabha and re-entered the Cabinet, this time as Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways.^[1] In 2011, as a result of a cabinet reshuffle Kamal Nath replaced Jaipal Reddy to take on his role as Minister of Urban Development. Jaipal replaced Murli Deora as minister of petroleum natural gas.^[7]

Political Associations[link]

Kamal Nath is a member of the INC (Indian National Congress) political party and served as General Secretary from 2001-2004.^[8]

Nath has close ties with the Nehru–Gandhi family, being young friends and schoolmates with Sanjay at the Doon School, an independent boarding school located in Dehradun.^[9]

Business career[link]

Kamal Nath serves as president of the board of governors for The Institute of Management Technology (IMT) a premier management and technology institution.^[10]

He is Chairman of “Madhya Pradesh Child Development Council” and Patron to the Bharat Yuvak Samaj (Youth Wing of All India Bharat Seva Samaj).^[11]

Political Views[link]

Economic Development[link]

Kamal Nath is a strong proponent of economic development in India. At the World Economic Forum (WEF) Davos, Switzerland in 2011 Nath shared his views on improving market access for developing countries in the area of agriculture stating India’s applied tariffs for exports in developed countries was very low. Nath claims that this is due to continued imports through schemes like EPCG (Export Promotion Capital Goods Scheme) where tariffs are not levied.^[12]

Competing in the World Market[link]

Nath disagrees with the Trade protectionist outlook displayed among struggling countries and considers it to be the wrong response to a financial crisis.^[13] He has pushed for stronger international cooperation in India, such as expanding on Indo-German relations. Nath stated for a mutually beneficial relationship with Germany to exist it must rely on using both countries' manufacturing strengths. He outlined focus areas of production including telecom, engineering, environmental technology, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and food processing, and renewable energy.^[14] Kamal Nath describes India's entrepreneurial spirit and the countries' potential for global commerce growth in his book India's Century.^[15]

Kamal Nath on Infrastructure Development[link]

Nath emphasizes the need for infrastructure development in India with projects like the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor, a 90 billion dollars industrial development project. The DMIC proposes major expansion of infrastructure and industry and aims to develop an industrial zone across six states in India.^[16] Within the first five years of the project expectations are set at doubling employment potential, tripling industrial output, and quadrupling exports from the region.^[17]

Public–private partnership (PPP)[link]

Kamal Nath advocates a PPP model on completing such ambitious projects like the DMIC and other infrastructure development projects. He references success with PPP models implemented in India's Metro operations.^[18]

Controversies[link]

Rice Export Accusations[link]

In 2007, during Kamal Nath's tenure as Commerce minister, an Empowered Group of Ministers that included Nath, Pranab Mukherjee, and Sharad Pawar helped lift a ban on the export of non-basmati rice. It was alleged that PSUs involved in export of this rice to Africa outsourced the efforts to domestic private companies. It is claimed that the private companies made large profits while the PSUs reported small margins.^[19]

Radia Tapes[link]

Kamal Nath is mentioned in the Radia Tapes by Tarun Das, former head of the Confederation of Indian Industry. Das mentioned his support for Nath in the surface transport ministry before making statements that put Nath in a negative light. Das claimed that Nath could make money while conducting national service and could use the ministry as an ATM.^[20] In 2010, Das publicly apologized to Nath for these statements, describing his remarks as, "Irresponsible and unfortunate," and "Loose talk."^[21]

Involvement in the Anti-Sikh Riots[link]

Kamal Nath was indicted by the Nanavati Commission on allegations that he was involved in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, which were as a result of two of Indira Gandhi's own Sikh bodyguards assassinating her after Operation BlueStar. Only one witness, Mukhtiar Singh, testified to seeing Nath lead an armed mob that attacked and demolished a Gurudwara in Rakab Ganj.^[22] However, there was no evidence that he incited the crowd. In fact, one of the key witnesses, Indian Express Photographer Monish Sanjay Suri, stated that Kamal Nath tried to disperse the crowd, and there was no evidence that he encouraged violence during the riot.^[23] Several Sikhs were burned alive during the attack.^[24] Nath responded to the Commission, saying that he visited the Gurudwara later in the day to investigate the agitation and urge peace.

The Commission Report observed that Nath's testimony was "vague" and "not consistent with the evidence" and that his version of events was "a little of strange." However it disregarded the contradictions in his testimony, saying "it is also required to be considered that he was called upon to give an explanation after about 20 years and probably for that reason he was not able to give more details." In conclusion the Commission said, "In absence of better evidence it is not possible for the Commission to say that he had in any manner instigated the mob or that he was involved in the attack on the Gurudwara".^[25] Justice Nanavati further stated that "it would not be proper to come to the conclusion that Kamal Nath had in any manner instigated the mob.^[23]"

Canadian Sikhs protested his visit to Toronto March 23, 2010.^[26]

On April 6, 2010 Sikhs for Justice ^[27] a US based human rights advocacy group along with two individuals Jasbir Singh and Mohinder Singh filed a lawsuit against Kamal Nath in the Southern District of New York for leading the mob that killed Sikhs and attack Gurdawara Rakab Ganj in Delhi on November 1, 1984. The lawsuit was filed under Alien Torts Claim Act and Torture Victims Protection Act. US District Court issued summons to Kamal Nath asking him to respond to the complaint.Kamal Nath received summons and complaint the same in the evening while he was in Manhattan, New York.^[28]

The court complaint was dismissed in March, 2012 by Judge Robert Sweet of the US District Court Southern District of New York, against Nath, who stated that the court lacked jurisdiction in the case.^[29] The 22-page order granted Nath’s motion to dismiss the claim, and the judge also noted that ‘Sikhs for Justice’ failed to “serve the summons and its complaints to Nath in an appropriate and desired manner.” ^[30]

Responsible for Environmental Damage[link]

Kamal Nath was again embroiled in controversy in March 2002 when the Supreme Court, applying the polluter pays principle, imposed a fine of Rs 10,00,000 (US$ 25,000) on Kamal Nath for damaging the environment by building a motel on the bank of Beas river near Kulu-Manali in the state of Himachal Pradesh. This irresponsible act changed the course of the river and thus caused ecological imbalance in that area. The Supreme Court Bench held that Kamal Nath was liable to pay a fine of Rs 10 lakh for causing damage to the sensitive ecology of the area by building Span Motel.^[31]

Irresponsible Statements[link]

A New York Times article dated April 15, 2007, quoted Kamal Nath, then India's Commerce Minister as stating that the H-1B visa "has become the outsourcing visa."^[32]

Bribery Allegations[link]

As per United States secret diplomatic cable number number 162458 dated 17 July 2008, a Congress Party insider told an American diplomat that Kamal Nath bribed Members of Parliament^[33] to help the Congress Party survive a No-confidence motion in the parliament.^[34]

Awards and recognition[link]

In 2006 Kamal Nath received an Honorary Doctorate from Jabalpur's Rani Durgavati University for his contributions to the public sector.^[35]

Kamal Nath was named the FDI Personality of the Year 2007 by the FDI magazine and the Financial Times Business for his "active efforts to attract foreign businesses to India, boost exports, and promote trade and investment".^[36]

In 2008 he was honored with the title “Business Reformer of the year” by The Economic Times.^[37]

In September 2011, he was declared to be the richest Cabinet minister in India with assets worth INR 263 Crore (INR 2,630,000,000 or US$ 57 million).

See also[link]

• M. C. Mehta v. Kamal Nath

References[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Kamal Nath

Lalit Kumar Modi, (Hindi: ललित कुमार मोदी; born November 29, 1963, Delhi, India) is one of the architects of the Indian Premier League (IPL)^[4]

Best known for his stint as the Chairman and Commissioner of the Indian Premier League and the Chairman of the Champions League, between 2008 and 2010, he has also occupied the roles of Vice President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), between 2005 and September 2010, and Vice President of the Punjab Cricket Association.^[5]

Lalit Modi is also the President and Managing Director of Modi Enterprises and the Executive Director of Godfrey Phillips India.^[6]

Early life[link]

Lalit Kumar Modi was born into a wealthy and successful business family. His father Krishan Kumar Modi is Chairman of Modi Enterprises, a Rs40 billion business empire, which was founded by his grandfather, Rai Bahadur Gujarmal Modi, who also founded the town of Modinagar.^[7]

Family[link]

Lalit Modi is married to Minal, whom he met while studying in the USA. Modi has three children, Karima, Ruchir and Aliya.

Karima, who is Minal’s daughter from a previous marriage, is married and currently living in London. Karima has a daughter named Arya. ^{[8] [9]}

Due to security reasons the Modis had left Mumbai in May 2010 and have relocated to London.

Family Security Threat[link]

In March 2009 the Mumbai police arrested and interrogated Rashid Malabari, who is reportedly the hit man of underworld don Chota Shakeel.^[10] During the interrogation, Malabari revealed that the there was a plan to assassinate Lalit Modi, his wife Minal and son Ruchir.^[11]

This was later cross-referenced by a government intelligence agency, who picked up a phone conversation between Chota Shakeel and his boss Dawood Ibrahim instructing him to hire four assassins to carry out the assassination of Modi and his family in either South Africa or in India.^[12]

Till today, Modi remains under constant threat and is rumoured to travel in a bullet-proof car and to be protected by three layers of around-the-clock security. ^[13]

His son Ruchir remains under a high security cover as well after 2 near incidents took place on his life as mentioned on a letter sent by him to the Commissioner of Mumbai Police. In Mumbai and the rest of India Ruchir never leaves his house which was for a few months the five star deluxe Four Seasons Hotel in Southern Bombay without his convoy containing 7 vehicles including a police escort vehicle. He has a highly trained security team containing approximately 12 private Bodyguards including foreign security specialists and 4 heavily armed members of the Mumbai Police Protection Squad. ^[14], ^[15], ^[16]

Education[link]

Lalit Modi joined Bishop Cotton School in Shimla, Asia's first boarding school, in 1971.^[17] Modi is noted to have been a brilliant sportsman and used to play a number of sports, including cricket.^[17] He also attended St Joseph's College in Nainital. Having scored well in the SAT^{[citation needed]}, he chose to skip the school-leaving examinations, which were required for entrance to colleges and universities in India, and travelled to the United States to continue with his studies, where he is believed to have studied in Pace University and Duke University, between 1983 and 1986.^[18] Considering that he was a sophomore at the time of his criminal trials in 1985, it is not clear if he finished the degree in 1986.

On March 1, 1985, while a sophomore, Modi was arrested on charges of conspiracy to traffic cocaine, assault with a deadly weapon with the intent to kill^[19] and second-degree kidnapping. On April 2, 1985, Modi and another student were indicted.^{[20] [21]}Modi pleaded guilty to the crime when the case was heard in the Durham County court, North Carolina and later entered a plea bargain, which resulted in a suspended two year prison sentence.^[22]

Business career[link]

Modi is the President and Managing Director of Modi Enterprises, an industrial conglomerate created and run by his family.^[23] Modi has been the Executive Director of Godfrey Phillips India since 1992, one of India's largest tobacco companies.^[23] The company is jointly promoted by the Modi Enterprises and Philip Morris International.^[24]

Modi Entertainment Networks[link]

Modi started a 10-year joint venture with Walt Disney Pictures in 1993, called Modi Entertainment Networks (MEN), to broadcast some of Disney's content in India, including Fashion TV.^[25][26]

In 1994, he became the pan-India distributor of ESPN on a ten-year contract worth $975 million. His job was to collect money from the cable companies in India in exchange for them broadcasting ESPN.^[27]

The deal, gave ESS exclusive global commercial rights for all T20 Champions League seasons until 2017, making it the highest cricket tournament by value on a per game basis.^[28]

Apart from ESS, bids were received from Abu Dhabi Sports Club and Dubai International Capital (DIC). While the DIC bid was for $751.3 million, Abu Dhabi Sports Club’s bid, being a conditional one, was disqualified. ESS had bid $900 million for the deal and an additional $75 million for marketing.^[29]

Of the deal, ESS Managing Director, Manu Sawhney said: “This deal will cement our relationship with BCCI, Cricket Australia and Cricket South Africa and we are committed to setting new benchmarks in broadcast and distribution.” Lalit Modi, who was IPL chairman and commissioner at the time, said: “We believe this is the best commercial deal for Champions League.”^[30]

In 2008 ESPN, paid almost $1 billion for the global rights to the Twenty20 Champions League, in a ten year deal. Lalit Modi called it: “The best commercial deal for the inaugural Champions League Twenty20 season and for cricket fans across the world.” ^[31]

On 24th January 2008 The Indian Premier League announced the new owners of eight franchises. The base price of the auction was set at $400 million, but the final auction total reached $723.59 million. Mumbai was the most expensive team, costing $111.9 million. ^[32]

In October 2009, Nimbus Communications paid $431 million for the rights to India's home international games for four years, which commenced in April 2010. Although the deal didn’t include internet or radio rights, Lalit Modi indicated the deal was: "The highest price ever that will be paid per match by a broadcaster to any national board." ^[33]

Pune and Kochi were unveiled on 21st March 2010 as the two new franchises for the fourth edition of the Indian Premier League. Pune was bought by Sahara Adventure Sports Group for $370 million and the Kochi franchise was bought by Rendezvous Sports World Limited for $333.3 million. The auction fetched a total $723.59 million. ^[34]

Other Interests[link]

In 2002, he launched an online lottery business in Kerala called Sixo.[1] He later went into the real estate business in Rajasthan, with a company called Amer Heritage City Construction Pvt Ltd, where his wife, Minal, is a director.^[5][35]

Cricket Administration[link]

Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association[link]

Lalit Modi joined the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association in 1999 (when it had no cricket stadium) after promising to build a cricket stadium that would be used to play cricket in the Indian summer.^[36] In 2000, he started raising concerns with the way things were run in Himachal, and was booted-out when Mr. Prem Kumar Dhumal became the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh and installed his son as the President of the HP Cricket Association.

Rajasthan Cricket Association[link]

In 2005, Lalit Modi joined the Rajasthan Cricket Association. He became a member of the Nagore district. He allegedly submitted his name to the RCA as Lalit Kumar, because he did not want to be "cut-off" like he was with the HPCA.^[37] He raised concerns with the way RCA was run by the Rungta family for 40 years. There were 32 district associations in Rajasthan and 57 members, of which all 57 were related to the Rungta family. There were no elections in the RCA for 40 years.

He eventually became president of the Rajasthan Cricket Association, with the help of then Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Vasundhara Raje, who changed the law in Rajasthan, effective 18 August 2004, so that the RCA becomes a more democratic organisation with elections. His election was mired in controversy as he was accused of impersonating one Lalit Kumar to gain eligibility. His stint was over after Vasundhara lost the elections and he had to fight a fair election. He lost to Sanjay Dixit on 1st March 2009, a career bureuacrat and firebrand cricket administrator with whose brains and help, Lalit Modi had got into Rajasthan Cricket Association. He did try to engineer a comeback by fomenting a revolt against Sanjay Dixit and the Government of Rajasthan, in a surprise move, ordered re-election. The wily fighter that he is, Sanjay Dixit patched up with Dr. CP Joshi, a Union Cabinet Minister, and Lalit Modi had the dubious distinction of losing twice in a calendar year after he lost the re-election to CP Joshi - Sanjay Dixit combine. CP Joshi is now the President while Sanjay Dixit as Secretary General continues to run the Rajasthan Cricket Association far more successfully compared to Lalit Modi, making Rajasthan win the Ranji Trophy in 2011.

Board of Control for Cricket in India[link]

In 2004, Lalit Modi ran for President of Rajasthan Cricket Association and won, which entitled him to a seat on the Board of Control for Cricket in India.^[38]

In 2005, Modi figured in a power struggle that resulted in Sharad Pawar, an influential politician and national cabinet minister, ousting former Indian cricket supremo and International Cricket Council Chief, Jagmohan Dalmiya, in the Board of Control for Cricket in India elections. Modi was then appointed Vice-President of the BCCI.^[39]

Lalit Modi was heavily involved in the commercial side of the Board of Control for Cricket in India and it is reported he was responsible for increasing the BCCI's revenues sevenfold between 2005 and 2008, with the BCCI then reporting annual revenues of over $1 billion.^[40]

During his time at the BCCI, Lalit Modi concluded the following deals:

• Pan-India distributor deal with ESPN on a ten-year contract - $975 million in 1994
• Team Sponsorship Deal for Team India with Sahara Thenyamukkim group for 4 years - $103 million (415 Crores) on 20.12.05^[41]
• Team Apparel Sponsor Deal for Team India with Nike for 4 year - $53 million (215 Crores) on 24.12.05^[42]
• Media Rights Deal with Nimbus for 4 years - $612 million on 18.2.06^[43]
• Media Rights for overseas matches with Zee for 4 years - $219 million on 7.4.06^[42]
• BCCI Sponsorship Deal with WSG - $46 million (173 Crores) on 27.8.07^[44]
• The Indian Premier League sold eight franchises - $723.59 million on 24.01.08 ^[45]
• ESPN deal for Twenty20 global rights - $1 billion in 2008 ^[46]
• IPL Media Rights Deal with Sony - $1.26 Billion on 15.1.08^[47]
• Web Media Rights to Live current Media - $50 million on 18.4.08^[48]
• IPL Title sponsorship and Ground sponsors - $220 million in March 2008^[49]
• Renegotiated with Sony WSG the IPL Media rights from $1.26 billion to over $2.46 billion on 25.3.2009^[50]
• Nimbus Communications four year deal for the rights to India's home international games - US$431 million in October 2009 ^[51]
• IPL Theatrical Rights Deal with UFO and ESD for over 300 Crores on 12 November 2009^[52]
• IPL Entertainment Broadcast deal with Viacom for over $30 Million on 23 January 2010^[53]
• IPL undisclosed sum deal with Google and YouTube on 22 January 2010^[54]
• Pune and Kochi deal with Sahara Adventure Sports Group and Rendezvous Sports World Limited - US$703 million on 21st March 2010 ^[55]

Punjab Cricket Association[link]

Lalit Modi is currently the Vice President of the Punjab Cricket Association under the patronage of former Board of Control for Cricket in India President, I.S. Bindra.^[56]

IPL 5: Punjab sign Awana, Gurkreet

Indian Premier League[link]

In 2008, Lalit Modi was instrumental in launching the Indian Premier League (IPL), a league based around Twenty20 cricket, where each team is limited to batting for a maximum of 20 overs.^[57] he also engineered the Indian Premier League's move to South Africa in 2009 after the dates of the tournament clashed with the Indian general election and the Union Minister of Home Affairs, P. Chidambaram, could not commit to the security of the tournament.^[57]

The IPL has since grown into one of the world's biggest sports, worth over $4 billion.^[58] The commercial success of the Indian Premier League and Modi's control of the league has led to him being compared to Don King and Bernie Ecclestone.^[58]

In 2010, Modi oversaw the bidding process and creation of two new teams in the Indian Premier League. Pune and Kochi were declared the new franchises. A Twitter entry by Modi declaring the stakeholders of the Kochi IPL Team allegedly breaching confidentiality agreements led to the resignation of the then Indian Minister of State for External Affairs Dr. Shashi Tharoor.^[59][60]

Modi was then suspended as Chairman and Commissioner of the IPL in April 2010.^[61] A suspension notice and a 34-page letter stating 22 charges of impropriety were served via email to Modi. Modi publicly protested his innocence immediately after the 2010 Indian Premier League Final had been played.^[58]

An income tax department report on Modi has revealed that he holds a silent stake in three IPL teams - the Rajasthan Royals, Mumbai Indians and Kings XI Punjab.^[62] Furthermore, there are questions as to whether Modi was involved in match fixing and betting in Indian Premier League games.^[63] He is also under fire for helping his family and friends buy stakes in Indian Premier League teams.^[64]

In March 2012 New Zealand cricketer Chris Cairns successfully sued Modi for making false, malicious statements in the media about Mr Cairns. This is after Modi posted on Twitter in 2010 that Cairns had been involved in match-fixing during 2008, which was proven to be lies made up by Modi. Cairns won costs and damages.^[65]

Mihir Bose Interview[link]

On 25th November 2010 an exclusive interview conducted in London between Mihir Bose and Lalit Modi was posted on the official www.lalitmodi.org website. During his first interview since being suspended as commissioner of the IPL, Lalit Modi rejected a number of allegations levelled against him during his career. Global news networks, newspapers and social media sources reported on the interview, including The Times of India, AFP and The Economic Times. ^[66]

When questioned about the $80 million that he allegedly cost the BCCI, Modi claimed that ”the way I did the deals I made the BCCI billions of dollars not cost them eighty million dollars.” ^[67]

Modi indicated that his security agencies advised him not to return to India until the threat level reduced. Security protection has remained high since Modi moved the IPL to South Africa in 2009. ^[68]

Awards and Recognitions[link]

• In October 2011, Lalit Modi was bestowed the 'Outstanding Contribution Award' at the 2011 International Sports Event Management (ISEM) Awards^[69]
• In February 2010, Sports Illustrated named Lalit Modi as the 2nd Most Powerful Person in Indian Sports^[3]
• On 28 December 2009, Business Standard named Lalit Modi as one of the ‘Game Changers of the Decade’^[70]
• On 26 September 2009, Lalit Modi was presented with the ‘Brand of the Year’ award by India Leadership Conclave^[71]
• In August 2009, Forbes Magazine described the IPL as ‘the world's hottest sports league’ – a remarkable accolade from a US magazine less than a year after the IPL’s launch^[72]
• On 22 January 2009, Lalit Modi was given the ‘Sport Business Leader’ award by CBNC-TV18^[73]
• On 30 December 2008, SportzPower ranked Lalit Modi No. 1 in their annual Top 20^[74]
• On 12 November 2008, Lalit Modi was given the SportsBusiness ‘Rushmans Award For Sports Event Innovation’ by Rushmans^[75]
• On 8 November 2008, Lalit Modi was given the ‘Teacher's Achievement of the Year’ award by Beam Global Spirits & Wine^[76]
• In October 2008, Business Week ranked Lalit Modi 19th in a list of 25 most powerful global sports figures^[77]
• On 24 October 2008, Lalit Modi was awarded for ‘Excellence in Innovation’ at the Frost & Sullivan Growth Excellence Awards^[78]
• On 6 October 2008, Lalit Modi was named ‘The Most Innovative Business Leader in India’ by NDTV Profit^[79]
• On 26 September 2008, Lalit Modi was presented with ‘The Consumer Award for Transforming Cricket in India’ by CNBC Awaaz^[80]
• On 25 September 2008, Lalit Modi was named ‘Brand Builder of the Year’ by Asia Brand Conference^[81]
• In August 2008, Lalit Modi was ranked number 17 in the leading sports magazine Sports Pro’s Power List of global figures connected with sports^[82]
• In July 2008, Time Magazine ranked Lalit Modi 16th in a list of the world’s best sports executives^[83]
• In July 2008 he featured on the cover of Sports Pro and was hailed as the Best Rain Maker (money maker) for any sports body in the history of sports globally^[84]
• On 21 June 2008, Lalit Modi was given the ‘Business Standard Award’ for making BCCI the Most Innovative Company in India for that year^[85]
• On 9 April 2006, Mike Atherton described Lalit Modi as arguably ‘the most important cricket administrator in the world today’^[86]
• In March 2008, Lalit Modi was listed among India's 30 most powerful people by the India Today magazine^[40]

See also[link]

• Rajasthan Government Sports Re-organizations Act, 2004. [2]
• Indian Cricket League
• Indian Premier League
• Twenty20 Champions League
• Twenty20 Cup
• Gabriella Demetriades

Sachin hits 100th international ton