Lalit Modi, the fugitive businessman and founder of the Indian Premier League (IPL), has lost his Vanuatu citizenship after the South Pacific nation’s government ordered its cancellation. Modi, who had reportedly acquired citizenship in Vanuatu, had applied to surrender his Indian passport through the Indian High Commission in London. This move came under scrutiny, as Vanuatu Prime Minister Jotham Napat issued a directive to the country’s Citizenship Commission to annul Modi’s passport, following concerns that the businessman may have used the nationality to evade extradition to India.
Modi, who has been living in London since fleeing India in 2010, is wanted by Indian authorities for alleged financial irregularities during his tenure as the IPL chairman. These allegations involve embezzlement and violations related to a significant television rights deal. Although Modi underwent standard background checks when applying for Vanuatu citizenship, the country only recently discovered that Interpol had rejected Indian requests to issue an alert notice against him due to a lack of sufficient evidence. This alert would have automatically disqualified Modi from receiving Vanuatu citizenship.
Vanuatu’s PM Stresses Citizenship is a Privilege, Not a Right
Prime Minister Napat stated through a public declaration that gaining Vanuatu citizenship represents a privilege that requires proper justification for citizenship issuance. The attempt by Modi to acquire citizenship to avoid extradition purposes was rejected by the authorities. The Prime Minister noted that the Vanuatu government had strengthened its due diligence process for citizenship applications in recent years, incorporating triple-agency checks, including Interpol verifications.
Lalit Modi Drops Indian Citizenship
The Ministry of External Affairs from India verified that Lalit Modi submitted a request to return his Indian passport on March 7. Modi’s case remains under active Indian investigation because the Ministry continues to actively pursue legal prosecution against him according to Indian laws. The judiciary in India maintains active pursuit of legal prosecution against Modi due to his supposed forex violations as well as financial misconduct even after his relocation to UK.
Vanuatu, a group of islands in the Pacific Ocean, is known for offering citizenship through its Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program. The program requires a significant financial investment, but it has come under increased scrutiny following the Modi case. The Vanuatu government’s decision to revoke his citizenship serves as a reminder that acquiring such privileges must be based on legitimate grounds and not used to evade legal responsibilities.
