After citizenship snub, Lalit Modi shares photo from 'beautiful country' Vanuatu

Lalit Modi is wanted by Indian law enforcement agencies in connection with allegations of embezzlement of crores of rupees during his stint as the IPL chief

Updated on: Mar 11, 2025, 01:36:54 IST

By HT News Desk

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Former Indian Premier League (IPL) commissioner Lalit Kumar Modi on Monday took to social media to share pictures of him from Vanuatu, after the island nation's prime minister Jotham Napat directed the Citizenship Commission to cancel the passport issued to him.

“Vanuatu a beautiful country. You must put on your bucket list. Away from all the pollution and noise. Truly heavenly country,” Modi posted on X.

Lalit Modi filed an application with the Indian high commission in London to surrender his Indian passport

On March 7, Modi filed an application with the Indian high commission in London to surrender his Indian passport.

He is known to have acquired citizenship of Vanuatu, a South Pacific Island nation. He left India in 2010 and is said to have been living in London.

ALSO READ: Why did the Vanuatu PM order cancellation of Lalit Modi's passport?

An official media statement by the Republic of Vanuatu stated, “I have instructed the Citizenship Commission to cancel the Vanuatu passport issued to Lalit Modi following recent revelations in international media."

"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 Lalit Modi due to lack of substantive judicial evidence," PTI quoted the statement as saying.

Lalit Modi accused of money laundering

Lalit Modi, who previously served as the vice-president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), is accused of bid-rigging, money laundering, and violating the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (FEMA). He left India in 2010 while under investigation for financial misconduct, including unauthorized fund transfers.

If Modi's request for cancellation of the Indian passport is accepted, then he may become an illegal alien in the UK as Vanuatu is also revoking his citizenship.

On March 8, Lalit Modi wrote on X, “No court of law in India has a case pending against me personally. It's only media fiction. Fifteen years have gone. But they keep saying we are going after me - more than welcome to.”

“But first file an application for any wrongdoing, instead of just imagining that I have been charged with something wrong.... This is called fake news.... Only thing that I have done single handedly is create a global loved product called IPL which you lap it up like there is no tomorrow,” he added.

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HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

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