I am not in hiding: Lalit Modi

London:

Former Indian Premier League commissioner Lalit Modi, who has been in the eye of a storm for some time due to corruption allegations against him has made his first public appearance ever since he was served a 'Blue Corner' notice by the Enforcement Directorate.

Modi is speaking in a high-profile sports management convention at the Twickenham stadium near London in his capacity as the founder and former chairman of the IPL.

While speaking about his role in the conception of the high profile T20 league, Lalit Modi said that he is not in hiding.

A fugitive on the run he may not be but with Modi's stubborn refusal to return to India for questioning, the various agencies investigating his case are now getting impatient.

"He is not absconding at all. He has no reason to abscond. He has been replying to all the showcause notices issued by the ED from time to time. All explanations have been given. Where is the need for such a loose expression," said Mehmood Abdi, Lalit Modi's lawyer in a state ment last week.

Modi though has been granted a further 10 days time by the Mumbai Regional Passport Office (RPO) to reply to its notice as to why his passport should not be cancelled.

He is facing a probe by multiple government agencies for alleged financial irregularities in IPL.

Modi's lawyer, Mehmood Abdi, confirmed on Tuesday that RPO, Mumbai, has responded to their letters and reminders today and has given additional time of 10 days to his client to file his reply.