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New Delhi: Indian Premier League (IPL) founder Lalit Modi has applied to the Indian High Commission in London to surrender his Indian passport. The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed this on Friday. Lalit Modi holds citizenship of the South Pacific island nation of Vanuatu. He left India in 2010 and is believed to be living in London right now.
What did the Ministry of External Affairs say about Lalit Modi?
Lalit Modi is on the wanted list of Indian law enforcement agencies on charges of embezzling crores of rupees during his tenure as a top IPL official. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “He has applied to surrender his passport at the Indian High Commission in London.” He said, “It will be investigated under the existing rules and procedures. We have also been told that he has acquired Vanuatu citizenship. We will continue to pursue the case against him under the law.”
Lalit Modi on ED’s radar
It is worth noting that Lalit Modi, who fled India in 2010 amid allegations of financial misconduct, money laundering and violation of foreign exchange laws, has been under ED’s investigation for several years. Despite the continuous efforts of Indian authorities, Lalit Modi has successfully managed to avoid prosecution. Therefore, after getting citizenship, now the Government of India and ED have a big challenge to secure the extradition of Lalit Modi.
Let us tell you that obtaining foreign citizenship has effectively complicated India’s efforts to extradite him. Earlier, fugitive diamond merchant Mehul Choksi had acquired Antigua citizenship to escape the law. (With language inputs)
