Samir Modi, the brother of fugitive businessman Lalit Modi, was arrested on Thursday at Delhi airport in connection with a rape case dating back to 2019. Police officials confirmed that Modi, who had just returned from abroad, was taken into custody immediately after landing. His arrest follows an FIR registered at the New Friends Colony police station under sections 376 of the Indian Penal Code, about rape, and section 506, related to criminal intimidation.
According to the complaint filed on September 10, the alleged victim accused Samir Modi of repeatedly raping, harassing, and blackmailing her over a period of time. She claimed that he lured her under the pretext of career opportunities in the fashion and lifestyle sector and then forced himself on her at his residence in December 2019. Furthermore, she alleged that Modi continued to exploit her by making false promises of marriage, despite being married, and used his influence to silence her through intimidation and threats. The woman stated that she and her family faced constant threats of harm if she ever revealed the abuse.
Police confirmed that the complaint highlighted continuous harassment and blackmail over the years. The investigation into the allegations is currently ongoing, with Modi being remanded to one day of police custody. His detention was reportedly linked to a Lookout Circular (LOC) issued at the request of the New Friends Colony police.
On the other hand, Samir Modi’s legal team has strongly refuted the allegations, dismissing them as fabricated and motivated by financial gain. In a statement, Simran Singh of Sakura Advisory, representing Modi, argued that the charges were “false and concocted” and were filed with the ulterior motive of extortion. The statement also referred to earlier complaints filed by Modi on August 8 and 13, in which he accused the woman of blackmail and extortion, allegedly demanding Rs 50 crore from him. The defence team even pointed to WhatsApp chats as evidence supporting their claims.
Samir Modi, according to his LinkedIn profile, is the Managing Director of Modi Enterprises and the founder of both Modicare Foundation and Colorbar Cosmetics Pvt Ltd. His lawyers argued that the arrest reflected a hasty action by the police without proper verification of facts. They stressed their full faith in the judiciary to resolve the matter fairly and requested that the privacy of the Modi family be respected while the case runs its course.
This arrest adds yet another layer of controversy to the Modi family, already under public scrutiny due to Lalit Modi’s high-profile fugitive status. With the case now in the hands of the judiciary, both sides are expected to press their claims vigorously, leaving the court to determine whether the charges hold merit or are part of a larger attempt at extortion.
