New Delhi, Mar 10 (UNI) Vanuatu Prime Minister Jotham Napat has directed the Citizenship Commission to cancel the Vanuatu passport issued to IPL founder Lalit Modi.
According to reports, and online images of a purported press release issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, PM Napat said that while background checks showed no criminal convictions, he was recently informed that Interpol had rejected Indian requests for an alert on Lalit Modi due to insufficient evidence.
"I have instructed the Citizenship Commission to immediately begin proceedings to cancel Mr Modi's Vanuatu passport," the PM is quoted as saying in the press release.
“While all standard background checks, including Interpol screenings, conducted during his application showed no criminal convictions, 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 PM is quoted as saying.
He stressed that a Vanuatu passport is a privilege, not a right, and applicants must see citizenship for legitimate reasons.
“None of those legitimate reasons include attempting to avoid extradition, which the recent facts brought to light clearly indicate was Mr. Modi's intention,” Napat added.
The PM said that in recent years his government has strengthened the due diligence process for its citizenship process through an investment programme.
The updated process includes triple-agency checks, including Interpol verification, the statement added.
Vanuatu is an island nation in the South Pacific Ocean, located to the east of Australia and north of New Zealand. It comprises of an archipelago of 83 islands, of which 65 are inhabited.
Vanuatu lies midway between Australia and Fiji. Its capital and largest city is Port Vila, situated on Efate Island.
On March 7, at the weekly media briefing, the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had informed that former IPL chief Lalit Modi has acquired citizenship of Vanuatu and has applied to the Indian High Commission in London for surrendering his Indian passport.
“He (Lalit Modi) has made an application for surrendering his passport in 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 will continue to pursue the case against him as required under law.”
Lalit Modi is wanted in India for alleged involvement in embezzlement of crores of rupees during his stint as the top boss of the IPL.
UNI RN