This Article is From Jun 24, 2010

Lalit Modi's lawyer clarifies: Not so Khap Panchayat after all

Lalit Modi's lawyer clarifies: Not so Khap Panchayat after all
Mumbai: After strong words of accusation, softer ones of explanation. Lalit Modi's lawyer, Mehmood M. Abdi, who had dashed off a strongly-worded press statement against the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and in particular against board Secretary N Srinivasan, has sought to distance his celebrity client from it a day later.
  
The catchy "Best of luck to the Khap Panchayat of BCCI" had fairly leapt out of Abidi's statement on Wednesday, but he has now said they were "misconstrued by a section of media." First, he said, they were his words, not those of Lalit Modi. (Read: Lalit Modi hits back at BCCI, calls it Khap Panchayat)

Also,  that the expression "Khap Panchayat" was not a reference to the BCCI or its special general meeting on July 3, but a passing remark while commenting on board secretary N Srinivasan's conduct.

Abdi clarified that both he and Modi had "the highest respect and regard for the BCCI and its general body" and had not meant to "belittle the BCCI or its general body."

The statement issued by Modi's lawyer on Thursday reads:

"Legal Counsel for Mr. Lalit Modi, Chairman and Commissioner IPL (Suspended) has clarified that his comment made yesterday, involving the use of the expression "Khap Panchayat" had been misconstrued by a section of media. In a clarification issued today Mehmood Abdi stated that the comment made by him was his own opinion and not a statement made by him on behalf of Mr.Lalit Modi. Abdi further clarified that the expression "Khap Panchayat" was not a reference to or used to describe, the BCCI or the Special General Meeting convened on 3rd July. Mr. Abdi clarified that both he and Mr. Modi had the highest respect and regard for the BCCI and its General Body. It was never intended by him or (Mr. Modi) to belittle the BCCI or its General Body. Abdi further stated that he made the remark, in the passing, whilst commenting on the manner in which Mr. N. Srinivasan (The Honorary Secretary of the BCCI) had conducted himself."
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