Syed Modi Biography 
Syed Modi was a well-known badminton player from Gorakhpur district, Uttar Pradesh. He was 8-time national level champion, who has represented India at many international events. He won men's singles title at the 1982 Commonwealth Games, and also won three other international titles, namely Austrian International (in 1983 & 1984) and USSR International (in 1985). He was shot dead in 1988 in Lucknow and it was alleged that his wife Ameeta, a badminton player and politician Sanjay Singh were involved with the conspiracy because of their illegitimate relationship. The police filed murder charges against both as well. Syed was only 26 and was in his career peak when he was murdered.
Syed Mahdi Hassan Zaidi was born in the town of Sardarnagar, near Chauri Chaura in Uttar Pradesh. His family is of Khadipur origin. His father worked in a sugar mill and he was the youngest of 8 children. His siblings supported the financial aid for his studies as well as badminton career. His original name "Mehdi" was mistakenly registered in school registers as Modi, and that’s how he came to be known as Modi. In 1976, aged only 14, Syed Modi became junior national Badminton champion. From there on, he reached new peaks in his short-lived career. He married his fellow badminton player Ameeta, with whom he has partnered for many matches.
Modi was shot dead in 1988 and it was alleged that his wife Ameeta, a badminton player and future politician was involved with the conspiracy because of her illegitimate relationship with well-known politician Sanjay Singh, an adapted heir to the royal family prior to the abolition of all royal privileges in India. The couple legally married in April 1995, though Sanjay Singh’s first marriage was declared void by High Court and Supreme Court in 1995. Despite the rulings, Sanjay maintains that Ameeta is his legally wedded wife. His first wife was also kicked out of the royal palace with children in 1989, where Ameeta lived later.
Published: December 28, 2018
Updated: December 28, 2018
