New Delhi: Swaraj Kaushal, husband of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, has confirmed that he has been former Indian Premiere League (IPL) commissioner Lalit Modi's lawyer for the past 22 years.
He also said that once Modi had invited him in April 2010 at a Mumbai hotel to seek legal advice before flying to UK.
According to Kaushal, he was Modi's guest for one night at Mumbai's Four Seasons Hotel.
"I was Lalit Modi's lawyer and went there on his request for legal advice. Naturally they had to pay for lawyer's stay for one day. Yes, I am Lalit Modi's lawyer for 22 years," the 62-year-old Supreme Court lawyer was quoted as saying in a report published in Indian Express.
Kaushal's name was among several guests who stayed at the hotel during the 2010 IPL season.
In 2010, after Modi's ouster, the BCCI received a nearly Rs 1.56 crore bill from the hotel as outstanding payment.
The matter was also discussed at the cricketing body's working committee meet. Later, the hotel was asked to provide the details of the guests who stayed there during the same period.
When Kaushal was asked about his possible links with BCCI functionaries at that time, the lawyer made it clear that he visited Modi only to advise him legally.
"I have always stayed away from cricket," he said.
A controversy erupted after Sunday Times of London reported that Modi was granted visa to Portugal with the consent and recommendation of Sushma Swaraj.
Modi moved to London in 2010 amid Enforcement Directorate (ED) investigation of FEMA violations amounting to 425 crore in IPL TV rights deal by Lalit Modi in 2009.
