Special judge PR Bhavake asked the prosecution if the court had the power to issue such a warrant pending investigations.

The central agency approached the special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) Court after Modi, who has made London his home, did not respond to summons. ED had first issued summons to the controversial former cricket administrator through his India-based lawyer. However, his counsel returned the document to the agency, saying he was not authorised to receive it. Later the officials e-mailed the summons to Modi, who left India in 2010.

BCCI had registered an FIR in Chennai in 2010 against Modi and others under various provisions of IPC, while two years later ED filed a case under PMLA, in connection with a multi- crore rupees television rights deal of Indian Premier League (IPL).