Lalit Modi, under the Income Tax department's scanner for financial irregularities, continues to get the backing of the IPL franchise owners with Rajasthan Royals co-owner Shilpa Shetty defending the event's embattled Commissioner.
"I support Lalit as someone who has been part of IPL. It is Lalit's brain child. Because of Lalit IPL happened," Shilpa said.
"If there is something murky happening behind the scenes, I am unaware about it and in that case, let law take its own course. However, people should not jump to conclusions. Till you are not proven guilty, you are not guilty," she said.
"We must not forget that it was Lalit who made IPL successful in the overseas market. We must give him that credit. It is all because of his effort that IPL has become successful across the world," she said.
Shilpa's statement comes in the wake of recent media reports of an Income Tax department probe revealing that Modi holds a silent stake in three IPL teams - the Rajasthan Royals, Kolkata Knight Riders and Kings XI Punjab.
"I don't understand what is happening. Every day, new things are coming out. As far as our (Rajasthan Royal) papers are concerned, we have all legal documents. About the remaining teams, I have no idea. I don't know who is involved and from where has the money come," the actress said.
"As an Indian, I think we all should be proud of IPL. It has generated not just a lot of revenue but also pride in the sporting space and created job opportunities. IPL has been good in a lot of ways," Shilpa added.
Photograph: IPL/Getty Images
