Amid Probe Vanuatu PM Orders Cancellation Of Lalit Modi’s Passport

Vanuatu Prime Minister Jotham Napat has ordered the cancellation of the passport issued to Lalit Modi, saying that the businessman was attempting to avoid extradition.

This decision follows as the former founder of the Indian Premier League ( IPL ) filed an application with the Indian High Commission in London to surrender his Indian passport, following receiving Vanuatu citizenship.

Several international reports have said that the businessman is wanted by Indian law enforcement agencies in connection with allegations of embezzlement during his tenure with the IPL.

PM Napat said in a press release, “I have instructed the Citizenship Commission to immediately begin proceedings to cancel Mr. Modi’s Vanuatu passport”. The statement also mentioned that while background checks did not indicate any criminal history, it was revealed that Interpol had twice rejected Indian authorities’ requests to issue an alert notice for Modi due to a lack of substantive judicial evidence.

“While all standard background checks, including Interpol screenings, conducted during his application showed no criminal convictions, I have been made aware in the past 24 hours that Interpol twice rejected Indian authorities’ requests to issue an alert notice on Mr. Modi due to the lack of substantive judicial evidence. Any such alert would have automatically triggered a rejection of Mr. Modi’s citizenship application,” he added.