Mumbai: Renowned industrialist KK Modi came out in defence of his son Lalit, former Indian Premier League chairman, over appointment of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj's husband Swaraj Kaushal as the Director of Indofil. KK Modi said there has been no conflict of interest.
Speaking to CNN-IBN on the alleged conflict of interest charges against External Affairs Minister Sushma, he said, "There is no conflict of interest. Lalit Modi is a part of KK Modi company, a company which has nothing to do with the government. Lalit Modi cannot appoint a director. Neither can I. Under the Indian law, appointment has to be done through a process. The board decides whether one can be appointed as a director or not. I don't see a conflict of interest. Swaraj Kaushal, husband of Sushma has been known to us for 20 years. Travel document has been released by the UK government. He won the court cases in England and was allowed to stay in London."
Defending Sushma Swaraj, KK Modi said, "Swaraj Kaushal was known to us much before Sushma became a External Affairs Minister. I am not involved in the day-to-day business of Lalit Modi. He has nothing to do with my business. Besides business, Lalit Modi is interested in cricket and it's a game that's going on. There is no chance of speaking to Swaraj Kaushal. The board had not decided. Lalit Modi must have thought that he is our lawyer and he could be a director but later he withdrew. He doesn't need to return. Show cause notice doesn't say that."
When asked whether he needs security, KK Modi said, "Security was never given to me. There was no threat to me. Lalit Modi cannot say he is threatened. Police should say that. He wanted private guards with arms, but he was denied that."
In an email dated April 15, 2015 sent by Lalit Modi to a company called Indofil Industry which is owned by his father, Lalit Modi had sought the appointment of Sushma Swaraj's husband as the alternate director of the company. However, Swaraj Kaushal did not accept the appointment.
Swaraj Kaushal and daughter his daughter Bansuri who are Lalit Modi's legal counsels also advised him on his immigration plea. The letter was subsequently withdrawn on April 23.
Lalit Modi is one of the board of directors of Indofil Industries Limited which belongs to the renowned KK Modi group of companies. The company was established over 50 years ago and is headquartered in Mumbai.
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