Vanuatu Cancels Lalit Modi’s Passport Amid Extradition Concerns

 Days after former Indian Premier League (IPL) founder Lalit Modi submitted an application to surrender his Indian passport at the Indian High Commission in London, Vanuatu Prime Minister Jotham Napat directed the Citizenship Commission to revoke the passport issued to Modi, citing concerns that he was attempting to evade extradition.

The decision follows recent international media reports highlighting that Modi remains wanted by Indian law enforcement agencies for alleged financial misconduct, including the embezzlement of substantial sums during his tenure as IPL chairman.

In an official statement, the Republic of Vanuatu announced, “I have instructed the Citizenship Commission to cancel the Vanuatu passport issued to Mr. Lalit Modi following recent revelations in international media.”

The statement further noted that Interpol had twice rejected India’s requests for an alert notice against Modi due to a lack of substantive judicial evidence. Such an alert, if issued, would have automatically disqualified Modi from obtaining Vanuatu citizenship.

“The Prime Minister emphasised that holding a Vanuatu passport is a privilege, not a right, and applicants must seek citizenship for legitimate reasons,” the release stated. “None of those legitimate reasons include attempting to avoid extradition, which the recent facts brought to light clearly indicate was Mr. Modi’s intention.”

Modi, who previously served as vice president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), faces multiple allegations, including bid-rigging, money laundering, and violations of the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (FEMA). He left India in 2010 amid an investigation into alleged financial irregularities, including unauthorized fund transfers.

Sources indicate that Neeta Bhushan, India’s High Commissioner to New Zealand and several Pacific island nations, played a crucial role in securing the cancellation of Modi’s Vanuatu passport.

On March 7, Modi formally applied to surrender his Indian passport, a development later confirmed by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, “He has made an application for surrendering his passport at the High Commission of India in London. The same will be examined in light of extant rules and procedures. We are also given to understand that he has acquired citizenship of Vanuatu. We continue to pursue the case against him as required under law.”

Currently residing in London, Modi’s attempts to navigate his legal challenges have reignited discussions on international extradition and regulatory oversight concerning citizenship-by-investment programs.