Indian Premier League (IPL) founder Lalit Modi has faced a major setback as the island nation of Vanuatu in the South Pacific has canceled his passport.
The Vanuatu government revoked the passport granted to Lalit Modi, stating that there was no valid justification for his citizenship. Modi had fled India to escape trial after being accused of large-scale corruption involving thousands of crores. India had already revoked his passport and declared him a fugitive. Now, Vanuatu’s Prime Minister, Jotham Napat, has instructed the country’s Citizenship Commission to cancel Modi’s passport, as confirmed by his office. With this decision, Lalit Modi is now stateless, increasing the possibility of his extradition to India.
The investigation process initiated years ago included Interpol checks and multi-agency scrutiny.
To evade legal action in India, Lalit Modi had acquired Vanuatu citizenship by purchasing a section of an island using illegally obtained funds from corruption in India. With the passport revoked, he is now set to lose ownership of the island property as well.
