Dynamite News Vanuatu PM Napat cancels Lalit Modi’s passport; But why...?
Lalit Modi has been described as an economic offender by Indian investigating agencies. A must read on Dynamite News:
New Delhi: Vanuatu Prime Minister Jotham Napat on Monday directed the Citizenship Commission of the country to cancel the passport issued to former Indian Premier League (IPL) Chief Lalit Modi.
Vanuata PM Statement
In a statement, Napat said, “I have instructed the Citizenship Commission to immediately begin proceedings to cancel Mr Modi’s Vanuatu passport. I have been made aware in the past 24 hours that Interpol twice rejected Indian authorities’ requests to issue an alert notice on Mr Modi due to lack of substantive judicial evidence. Any such alert would have triggered an automatic rejection of Mr Modi’s citizenship application.”
The Vanuatu government says that Lalit Modi does not have a valid reason to get citizenship in this country of the South Pacific Ocean due to his attempt to avoid extradition.
“None of those legitimate reasons include attempting to avoid extradition, which the recent facts brought to light clearly indicate was Mr Modi’s intension [sic],” the statement added.
Laliy Modi: Economic Offender
Lalit Modi has been described as an economic offender by Indian investigating agencies.
Lalit Modi said last week that he wanted to surrender his Indian passport as he had acquired citizenship in Vanuatu, a country of islands in the Pacific Ocean.
MEA Spokesperson
Last week, Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), 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,” Jaiswal had said.
Vanuata Profile
Vanuatu is a group of over 80 islands located in the southern Pacific Ocean, with a population of approximately 300,000 people. The country gained independence from France and Britain in 1980.
Vanuatu offers citizenship through its Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program, which requires a non-refundable donation or investment. According to the Capital Investment Immigration Plan (CIIP), the amount required for single applicants is $1,55,000 (approximately Rs 1.3 crore), making it one of the most affordable options for acquiring citizenship.