NEW DELHI: Sreesanth's wife Bhuvneshwari Sreesanth has launched a scathing attack on former IPL chairman Lalit Modi and ex-Australian captain Michael Clarke for reviving the slapgate controversy involving Harbhajan Singh and her husband in the inaugural season of IPL in 2008.

The controversy resurfaced after Lalit Modi released unseen footage of the incident on Michael Clarke's Beyond23 Cricket Podcast.

Sreesanth's wife lashed out at Modi, describing his actions as "disgusting, heartless, and inhuman." She stressed that both Sreesanth and Harbhajan Singh have long moved past the incident and are now focused on leading peaceful lives with their families.

"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, they are fathers now with school-going children, and yet you try to throw them back into an old wound. Absolutely disgusting, heartless, and inhuman," Bhuvneshwari wrote.

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"@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," she added.

"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. @lalitkmodi @michaelclarkeofficial," Bhuvneshwari concluded.

What happened in 2008?

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.