The Prime Minister of Vanuatu has officially revoked the citizenship of Lalit Modi, an Indian businessman who is being pursued by Indian authorities over allegations of corruption. This decision follows the revelation that Modi had recently acquired Vanuatuan citizenship, which garnered significant media attention, especially considering his past role as the chief of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Since 2010, Modi has been living in the UK and has consistently denied any wrongdoing concerning the allegations of bid manipulation during his tenure with the IPL. Efforts by India to extradite him have repeatedly fallen short. Indian foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal noted that Modi had sought to renounce his Indian citizenship while residing in London.
Vanuatu’s Prime Minister Jotham Napat emphasized that citizenship must be granted for legitimate purposes and not as a means to evade legal responsibilities. The application process for Modi revealed motives that raised red flags, prompting Vanuatu to reconsider the citizenship granted to him. While initial screenings showed no prior convictions, concerns emerged after Interpol declined India’s request to issue an alert for Modi due to insufficient evidence.
The revocation of Modi’s citizenship may provide some reassurance to Indian officials, given that, unlike the UK, Vanuatu does not have an extradition treaty with India. This complicates the prospects of Modi returning to India to face the charges against him. Modi, who has been embroiled in IPL controversies since the league’s inception in 2008, took to social media to assert that he has no outstanding legal issues in India and accused the media of disseminating falsehoods about him.
This development sheds light on ongoing challenges associated with international law and extradition treaties in addressing corruption and financial crimes. Vanuatu’s decision reflects a broader commitment to ensuring that its citizenship is conferred upon individuals who meet lawful standards, thus reinforcing the integrity of its citizenship process. The situation also serves as a reminder of the importance of international cooperation in tackling complex legal and financial issues that cross borders.
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