Vanuatu Revokes Lalit Modi's Passport Amid Extradition Concerns

The Vanuatu Prime Minister has directed the cancellation of Lalit Modi’s Vanuatu passport, highlighting his alleged attempts to evade extradition. Modi, who fled India in 2010, acquired citizenship of the South Pacific nation. Interpol has twice denied India's request for an alert due to insufficient judicial evidence.

Vanuatu Prime Minister Jotham Napat has ordered the cancellation of a Vanuatu passport issued to former IPL founder Lalit Modi. The move follows allegations that Modi attempted to avoid extradition through his citizenship status.

Modi, who fled India in 2010, had surrendered his Indian passport to the Indian high commission in London after acquiring Vanuatu citizenship. He is believed to be residing in London.

An official release from Vanuatu stated that Interpol had twice rejected India's request to issue an alert notice against Modi, citing a lack of judicial evidence. The Vanuatu Prime Minister emphasized that holding a passport should fulfill legitimate reasons and not be used to avoid extradition.

(With inputs from agencies.)