Cross-examination over in IPL money fraud case

Mumbai: The cross-examination of the former GM of the State Bank of Travancore, A.K. Khan, took place in connection with the IPL money laundering scam at the Enforcement Directorate (ED) special director office. The bank had been instrumental in sending the money to the bank account of Cricket South Africa for conducting the IPL season there.

Mr Khan on Wednesday told the ED that the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) permission was not required for transfer of funds between two national sports federations; namely the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Cricket South Africa (CSA).

The senior bank official was first questioned on March 9, when his health deteriorated and he sought an extension for being questioned. Lalit Modi’s lawyer, Mehmood Abdi, said, “Mr Khan said that the RBI permission was not required for off-shore transactions as it was a current account transaction. Mr Khan categorically said that instructions for financial and banking transactions came from the BCCI treasurer.”

“Former BCCI chief N. Srinivasan was mostly evasive and tried to shift the entire responsibility to the then president Shashank Manohar saying that BCCI is a president-centric organisation where other office-bearers follow the president’s dictat,” said advocate Abdi.

The cross-examination, is based on the writ petition filed before the Bombay high court, seeking verification of their roles. As per the Bombay high court’s order, the ED will wrap up proceedings in CSA transfer of funds show cause notice by the end of May. Further action will be taken then.