Samir Modi arrested at Delhi airport in 2019 rape case; Lawyer denies allegations, calls it extortion attempt

Samir Modi, brother of fugitive businessman Lalit Modi, was arrested on Thursday at the Delhi airport in connection with a 2019 rape case, police said. The businessman was taken into custody following a FIR registered at the New Friends Police Station under sections 376 (rape) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code.

Samir Modi was apprehended upon his return from abroad, police said. According to authorities, he has been remanded to one-day police custody. His detention came after a Lookout Circular (LOC) was issued by the New Friends Colony police station.

Allegations against Samir Modi

The FIR, filed on September 10, alleges that Samir Modi repeatedly raped and harassed the complainant since 2019. The woman claimed Modi approached her under the pretext of offering career opportunities in the fashion and lifestyle industry and later assaulted her at his New Friends Colony residence in December 2019.

She further alleged continuous threats to her life and family, claims of blackmail, and repeated false assurances of marriage despite Modi being married. Police added that investigation into the matter is ongoing.

Samir Modi’s response

Samir Modi’s legal counsel, Simran Singh of Sakura Advisory, denied the allegations and called them an attempt to extort money.

“The complaint is based on false and concocted facts and the allegations have been made with the ulterior motive of extracting money from him,” Singh said.

The statement also noted: “It is a clear case of abuse of the provisions of law and also hasty acts of the police in making an arrest without verifying the facts. We have full faith in the judiciary of our country and agencies who will not only investigate but immediately bring closure to this matter.”

Extortion allegations by Samir Modi

Samir’s counsel further stated that the complainant allegedly demanded ₹50 crore from him, which was documented in WhatsApp chats.

“On August 8 and 13, Samir Modi filed complaints before various police officers for extortion and blackmail by the lady. These were supported by the WhatsApp chats between them where she asked for an amount of ₹50 crore,” the statement read.

Privacy request

The legal team requested the media to respect the family’s privacy during the ongoing investigation:

“We ask that you respect the privacy of the family at this deeply sensitive time until such matter is brought to its logical conclusion by the judiciary,” the statement added.

(With PTI Inputs)