Former Indian Premier League (IPL) commissioner Lalit Modi has responded to criticism from Sreesanth's wife, Bhuvneshwari, after she launched a scathing attack on him and ex-Australian skipper Michael Clarke for making the IPL slap-gate video public.

Notably, former India spinner Harbhajan Singh had landed himself into a huge controversy after he slapped Sreesanth during one of the matches in the inaugural edition of Indian Premier League.

Bhuvneshwari highlighted that both players have moved on from the episode as she termed Modi-Clarke's act as "disgusting, heartless and inhuman".

Modi and Clarke released the never-seen-before footage of the slap-gate in the aftermath of an IPL 2008 fixture between Mumbai Indians and Punjab Kings (then Kings XI Punjab), on the latest episode of Aussie legend's Beyond23 Podcast.

In the never-seen-before footage, Harbhajan could be seen slapping Sreesanth with the back of his hand during the post-match handshakes.

Sreesanth was left in tears after the incident, being consoled by his captain and Sri Lankan legend Mahela Jayawardene. Harbhajan then once again proceeded to return towards Sreesanth, making an animated gesture before Irfan Pathan and Mahela diffused the situation.

“I don't know why she (Sreesanth's wife Bhuvneshwari) is getting angry. I was asked a question, and I shared the truth. I can't do anything about that. I am known to speak the truth. Sree was the victim, and that's exactly what I said. No one had asked me this question earlier, so when Clarke quipped, I responded,” Modi told IANS.

During the podcast with Clarke, Modi also revealed that broadcast cameras did not capture the incident as they were switched off after the match and instead it was one of his personal security cameras, which captured Harbhajan giving a "backhander" to Sreesanth".

Earlier, Bhuvneshwari took to Instagram story and wrote: “Shame on you @lalitkmodi and @michaelclarkeofficial. You people are not even human to drag up something from 2008 just for your own cheap publicity and views. Both @sreesanthnair36 and Harbhajan have long moved on in life and are fathers now with school-going children, and yet you try to throw them back into an old wound. Absolutely disgusting, heartless, and inhuman.”

In another story, she wrote: “@sreesanthnair36 has rebuilt his life with dignity and grace after every hardship he faced. As his wife, and as the mother of his children, it is deeply painful for our family to see this resurface after 18 long years. Families are being forced to relive trauma that was buried decades ago only so you can chase views. This doesn’t just hurt the players, it scars their innocent children who now have to face questions and shame for no fault of theirs."

Bhuvneshwari went on to tell Modi and Clarke to fear God, accusing them of causing pain to families and innocent children for their own benefit.

“You should be sued for doing something so cheap and inhumane. Sreesanth is a man of strength and character, and no video can take that dignity away from him. Fear God before you hurt families and innocent children for your own gain,” she added.