‘Attempting to Avoid Extradition’: Vanuatu PM Orders Cancellation of Lalit Modi’s Passport Amid Probe- wna24
Vanuatu PM Jotham Napat has directed to cancel the passport issued to Lalit Modi, stating that the fugitive businessman was attempting to avoid extradition. | Image:
PTI
Vanuatu Prime Minister Jotham Napat has ordered the cancellation of the passport issued to Lalit Modi, stating that the fugitive businessman was attempting to avoid extradition.
This decision follows after the former founder of the Indian Premier League ( IPL ) filed an application with the Indian High Commission in London to surrender his Indian passport, after receiving Vanuatu citizenship.
Several international reports have stated that the businessman is wanted by Indian law enforcement agencies in connection with allegations of embezzlement during his tenure with the IPL.
“I have instructed the Citizenship Commission to immediately begin proceedings to cancel Mr. Modi’s Vanuatu passport,” PM Napat said in a press release.
The statement also mentioned that while background checks did not indicate any criminal history, it was revealed that Interpol had twice rejected Indian authorities’ requests to issue an alert notice for Modi due to a lack of substantive judicial evidence.
“While all standard background checks, including Interpol screenings, conducted during his application showed no criminal convictions, I have been made aware in the past 24 hours that Interpol twice rejected Indian authorities’ requests to issue an alert notice on Mr. Modi due to the lack of substantive judicial evidence. Any such alert would have automatically triggered a rejection of Mr. Modi’s citizenship application,” he added.
The Prime Minister emphasized that holding a Vanuatu passport is a privilege, not a right, and that applicants must seek citizenship for legitimate reasons.
The release also stated that his citizenship has been canceled due to his attempt to avoid extradition.
“None of those legitimate reasons include attempting to avoid extradition, which recent facts clearly indicate was Mr. Modi’s intention,” it added.
PM Napat further mentioned that in recent years, the Vanuatu government has strengthened its due diligence process for its citizenship-by-investment program, resulting in more applications failing enhanced scrutiny by the Vanuatu Financial Intelligence Unit.
The updated process includes triple-agency checks, including Interpol verification, the statement concluded.
MEA Confirms Lalit Modi’s Passport Surrender Application
The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that Modi submitted an application to surrender his Indian passport on March 7.
Modi, who left India in 2010, is reportedly residing in London.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that the Ministry is aware of the application.
“He has made an application for surrendering his passport at the Indian High Commission in London,” Jaiswal said.
“The same will be examined in light of extant rules and procedures. We are also informed that he has acquired citizenship of Vanuatu. We continue to pursue the case against him as required under the law,” he added.
India has repeatedly sought the UK’s assistance in extraditing Lalit Modi for his alleged involvement in the embezzlement case.