The Prime Minister of Vanuatu has revoked the citizenship of Lalit Modi, an Indian businessman sought by Indian authorities on corruption charges. The cancellation of Modi’s passport comes just days after India confirmed that he had acquired Vanuatuan citizenship, raising significant media attention back home, given Modi’s past prominence as the chief of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Modi has been residing in the UK since 2010 and has consistently denied allegations regarding rigging bids during his IPL leadership. India has made multiple attempts to extradite him but without success. Indian foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that Modi had applied to renounce his Indian citizenship while residing in London.
Prime Minister Jotham Napat underscored that Vanuatu’s citizenship is a privilege meant for legitimate reasons and not to escape legal obligations, indicating Modi’s motives became apparent during the application process. Although screenings revealed no previous convictions, concerns grew after learning that Interpol had rejected India’s requests to issue an alert regarding Modi due to a lack of substantial evidence.
The revocation may offer some comfort to Indian officials. Unlike the UK, Vanuatu lacks an extradition treaty with India, making Modi’s potential return to face the allegations more complex. Modi, who has been at the center of IPL controversies since it was founded in 2008, reaffirmed through social media that he faces no legal issues in India and criticized the media for spreading misinformation about him.
In related news, this situation highlights ongoing challenges with international law and the efficacy of extradition treaties in combating corruption and financial crimes across borders. The implications of Vanuatu’s decision reflect its commitment to ensuring that citizenship is enjoyed by individuals who adhere to a standard of lawful conduct.
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