Lalit Modi, the controversial founder of the Indian Premier League (IPL), is once again making headlines as he finds himself embroiled in fresh legal troubles regarding his citizenship in the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu. The fugitive businessman, wanted by Indian authorities for financial irregularities, recently posted pictures of himself in Vanuatu, even as the country’s Prime Minister, Jotham Napat, moved to cancel his newly acquired passport.
Despite the legal uncertainty surrounding his status, Modi took to social media to promote Vanuatu as a travel destination, describing it as a "beautiful country" and urging his followers to add it to their bucket lists. He highlighted the nation's serene environment, free from pollution and noise, calling it a “heavenly country.” His post, however, did little to divert attention from the storm brewing around his citizenship status.
Modi, who had surrendered his Indian passport at the Indian High Commission in London, reportedly obtained Vanuatu citizenship under its now-discontinued citizenship-by-investment program. However, his stay in the island nation is under threat as Prime Minister Napat has directed the Citizenship Commission to immediately begin proceedings to revoke Modi’s citizenship. In an official statement, Napat confirmed that he had personally instructed authorities to act swiftly on the matter, signaling that Vanuatu may not be a safe refuge for Modi after all.
The former IPL commissioner has been living in exile since 2010 when he fled to the UK after being summoned by Indian authorities for questioning over alleged financial misconduct and foreign exchange violations related to the IPL's 2009 season in South Africa. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Income Tax Department have been pursuing Modi for years, describing him as an economic offender. Despite India’s multiple attempts to extradite him, Modi has managed to evade capture, citing various legal and procedural roadblocks.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has made it clear that it will continue to pursue the case against Modi regardless of his citizenship status. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal recently reiterated that acquiring citizenship in another country does not absolve Modi of his legal responsibilities in India. This means that even if Vanuatu were to strip him of his passport, Modi would still face potential legal action from Indian authorities and could struggle to secure permanent residency elsewhere.
Legal experts believe that if Vanuatu successfully revokes Modi’s citizenship, he could find himself in a precarious position. Without a valid passport, he may be forced to apply for asylum in another country or seek residency through alternative means. However, with India’s continued diplomatic efforts to bring him back, his legal troubles could escalate further. Modi’s case also underscores the broader concerns around ‘citizenship-by-investment’ programs, which have come under increasing scrutiny in recent years. Many countries, including the UK and the US, have tightened regulations around such schemes due to concerns about money laundering, financial fraud, and economic offenders exploiting loopholes to evade justice.
Despite the growing pressure, Modi remains defiant, continuing to make public appearances and engaging with his followers on social media. However, the reality of his situation is far from secure. With Vanuatu moving to cancel his passport and India actively working to bring him to justice, Modi’s options are rapidly dwindling. His future remains uncertain, and the possibility of his extradition to India is still very much on the table. Whether he finds a new safe haven or is finally forced to face the legal consequences of his actions remains to be seen.
