Vanuatu Cancels Lalit Modi's Passport Amidst Media Revelations

Vanuatu has voided the passport of former IPL commissioner, Lalit Modi, following media claims suggesting he dodged extradition to India. Despite Interpol's lack of alerts, Modi is accused of financial misconduct. He denies the charges, labeling them as 'media fiction,' while residing in London.

In a significant move, the Prime Minister of Vanuatu, Jotham Napat, has ordered the revocation of the Vanuatu passport belonging to former Indian Premier League (IPL) commissioner, Lalit Modi. According to the Vanuatu Daily Post, the decision follows revelations by international media that Modi was allegedly evading extradition back to India.

Despite Interpol rejecting requests to issue an alert for Modi, which would typically precede the refusal of such a passport application, he was granted a Vanuatu passport after standard background checks did not reveal any criminal convictions. Lalit Modi, once the vice-president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), is under scrutiny for alleged financial misdeeds including bid-rigging and money laundering related to the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (FEMA).

Modi, who currently resides in London, left India in 2010 amid accusations of financial impropriety. He has publicly challenged media narratives about him, claiming they are fictitious and noting that no Indian court currently has any cases pending against him personally. Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs in India remains engaged in pursuing legal actions in line with the country's laws.