Vanuatu to revoke Lalit Modi’s citizenship amid extradition concerns
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Lalit Modi, the founder of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and a fugitive wanted in India for alleged financial irregularities, is facing fresh legal troubles as the Vanuatu government moves to cancel his passport.
The decision follows revelations that Modi may have sought citizenship in the South Pacific nation to avoid extradition.
The Prime Minister of Vanuatu, Jotham Napat, has directed the country’s Citizenship Commission to revoke Modi’s passport in light of recent international media reports. His office clarified that while Modi passed all standard background checks - including Interpol screenings - at the time of his application, new details have emerged indicating that Interpol twice denied India’s request for an alert notice against him due to insufficient judicial evidence. Such an alert would have automatically disqualified Modi from obtaining Vanuatu citizenship.
Prime Minister Napat stressed that Vanuatu’s passport is a privilege, not a right, and must be granted for legitimate purposes. "Avoiding extradition does not fall under legitimate reasons for seeking citizenship, and the recent findings clearly suggest that was Modi’s intention," he stated.
Over the past four years, Vanuatu has significantly tightened its citizenship-by-investment program, introducing rigorous due diligence measures, including triple-agency screenings and Interpol verification. The Prime Minister’s office noted that these reforms have led to an increased number of applications failing the scrutiny conducted by the Vanuatu Financial Intelligence Unit.
Meanwhile, India’s Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that Modi has applied to surrender his Indian passport at the Indian High Commission in London. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, “His application will be reviewed as per existing rules and procedures. We are also aware that he has acquired Vanuatu citizenship, but we will continue to pursue the case against him as required under the law.”
Lalit Modi fled India in 2010 and is accused of financial misconduct during his tenure as IPL commissioner.