New Delhi: In a bold move, Vanuatu Prime Minister Jotham Napat has ordered the cancellation of Lalit Modi’s passport, citing the former Indian Premier League (IPL) chief’s attempts to avoid extradition. This decision comes on the heels of international media revelations about Modi’s fugitive status and his acquisition of Vanuatu citizenship. Modi, wanted by Indian authorities for alleged financial misconduct including embezzlement and money laundering, had recently surrendered his Indian passport at the Indian High Commission in London.
The cancellation of Modi’s Vanuatu passport underscores the country’s commitment to upholding rigorous citizenship standards. Prime Minister Napat directed the Citizenship Commission to initiate proceedings against Modi, emphasizing that Vanuatu citizenship is a privilege, not a right, and must be sought for legitimate reasons. Recent media reports highlighted Modi’s alleged use of Vanuatu citizenship to evade legal proceedings, which prompted the government’s action.
Modi’s acquisition of Vanuatu citizenship has been under scrutiny, particularly after he surrendered his Indian passport. His application for Vanuatu citizenship had passed standard background checks, including Interpol screenings, which did not reveal any criminal convictions at the time. However, Interpol twice rejected India’s requests for an alert notice against Modi due to insufficient judicial evidence. Such an alert would have automatically led to the rejection of his citizenship application.
Lalit Modi is accused of embezzlement, bid-rigging, and violating the Foreign Exchange Management Act during his tenure as IPL chief. Despite the challenges in extraditing him, India continues to pursue legal action against Modi. The cancellation of his Vanuatu passport highlights Vanuatu’s strict stance on ensuring that its citizenship is not used as a means to avoid legal accountability.
