NEW DELHI: The inaugural IPL season in 2008 is remembered not only for changing the landscape of Indian cricket but also for the infamous altercation between Harbhajan Singh and Sreesanth, known as 'slap-gate', one of the darkest moments in the league's history.

Former IPL chairman Lalit Modi, the architect of the league, has brought the controversy back into the spotlight, claiming to have unseen footage of the incident, which he revealed on Michael Clarke's Beyond23 Cricket Podcast.

The controversy erupted during a clash between Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) and Mumbai Indians in Mohali. Following Punjab's win, as players were walking off the field, Mumbai's stand-in skipper Harbhajan stunned everyone by slapping Sreesanth.

What grabbed everyone's attention was Sreesanth being spotted crying inconsolably on live television. While the exact reason for the altercation was never officially revealed, reports suggested that Sreesanth's on-field remarks may have provoked Harbhajan.

"It happened. Absolutely. And I'll tell you what happened," Modi told Clarke when asked about the altercation. "One of my security cameras was on because I was walking onto the field, and it caught the moment. As players were exchanging handshakes, Bhajji just looked at Sreesanth, said something, and gave him a backhander. That's what the footage shows."

"I haven't put it out for so long. But yes, it happened," Modi added.

Harbhajan was suspended for the rest of the season and handed an 11-match ban. The BCCI's disciplinary committee found him guilty of misconduct and ordered the forfeiture of his match fees.