The Prime Minister of Vanuatu, Jotham Napat, announced the decision to cancel Lalit Modi's citizenship amidst ongoing allegations against him in India. Modi, who has been living in the UK since 2010, is wanted in connection with a major corruption case linked to his tenure as IPL chief. He is accused of rigging bids during crucial team franchise auctions and is under scrutiny for allegedly selling broadcasting and internet rights without authorization.
This announcement follows the confirmation from India's foreign ministry that Modi had acquired Vanuatu citizenship just days earlier. Modi's citizenship in Vanuatu garnered significant media attention in India, given his prominent past as a key figure in the glamorous and lucrative IPL.
In light of the revocation, Prime Minister Napat stated that a Vanuatu passport is a privilege and should be sought for legitimate reasons, which do not include evading legal prosecution. Remarkably, while background checks conducted during Modi’s passport application showed no prior criminal convictions, subsequent revelations indicated that India had previously attempted to alert Interpol regarding Modi’s status, but faced rejection due to a lack of substantial evidence.
Adding pressure, Modi claimed through social media that there were no pending legal cases against him in India and dismissed reports as "fake news." The development is significant for Indian authorities, as Vanuatu does not have an extradition treaty with India, making Modi’s repatriation more challenging.
Modi was instrumental in launching the IPL in 2008, transforming it into a lucrative sports enterprise before facing scrutiny and a lifetime ban from cricket activities by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in 2013.
