At India's Request, Vanuatu Cancels Lalit Modi's Passport

New Delhi: The Prime Minister of Vanuatu, Jotham Napat, has ordered the cancellation of former Indian Premier League (IPL) commissioner and fugitive Indian businessman Lalit Modi’s passport following a request from the Indian government and based on “recent revelations” about him.

Modi is accused by Indian investigating agencies of bid-rigging, money laundering and violating the Foreign Exchange Management Act.

In a press release, Napat emphasised that holding a Vanuatu passport is a “privilege, not a right, and applicants must seek citizenship for legitimate reasons.”

“None of those legitimate reasons include attempting to avoid extradition, which the recent facts brought to light clearly indicate was Mr Modi's intention,” he stated.

Indian Express has reported that it has learnt that the Indian High Commission in New Zealand, which manages India’s ties with Vanuatu, had reached out with the request and labelled Modi an economic offender.

Last week, the Ministry of External Affairs spokesman said: “Lalit Modi has made an application for surrendering his passport in the High Commission of India, 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.”

An Indian extradition request has been pending in the UK since at least 2017. Unlike the UK, Vanuatu does not have an extradition treaty with India.

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