Lalit Modi, former IPL chief, has suffered a significant setback. In fact, the Prime Minister of Vanuatu has ordered the cancellation of Lalit Modi’s passport. Lalit Modi holds Vanuatu citizenship. It is important to mention that Lalit Modi recently applied to give up Indian citizenship. Indian Foreign Ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal said on Friday, ‘Lalit Modi applied to surrender his Indian passport at the High Commission of India in London.’ Jaiswal further stated that ‘We are aware that he has Vanuatu citizenship, and we will follow up with actions against him in accordance with the law.’
To get citizenship in Vanuatu, one needs to invest
Vanuatu, a nation of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, has a total population of around 300,000. The island nation became independent from France and Great Britain in 1980. It is a unique island nation that offers an opportunity for citizens of the world to acquire citizenship through an investment program. Media reports indicate that the minimum price of obtaining Vanuatu citizenship is 155,000 dollars. In exchange for the investment in Vanuatu, citizenship of the country will be received within just 30-60 days. Media reports reveal that the share of revenue received in return for citizenship in the total revenue of Vanuatu is 30 percent. While India ranks 80th among the world’s most powerful passports, tiny Vanuatu is 51st in the ranking and ahead of Saudi Arabia and China. Vanuatu’s passport offers visa-free access to 113 countries of the world.
Accusation on Lalit Modi regarding money laundering
Lalit Modi has been a former chairman of IPL, and he is called as the most important strategist in the success of IPL. However, an investigation is going on against him in connection with the violation of rules in the amount of 425 crore rupees agreement for IPL TV rights in 2009. Lalit Modi fled to London in May 2010. Thereafter, he was dismissed from BCCI. Lalit Modi is also involved in fraud related to the auction of teams. BCCI also investigated Lalit Modi and found him guilty, which resulted into life time ban in the year 2013. Lalit Modi, in the year 2015, issued non-bailable warrant concerning money laundering case allegations.
