Lalit Modi, the founder of the IPL, faced controversies leading to his relocation to London. He acquired Vanuatu citizenship, but it was later revoked by Prime Minister Jotham Napat following an Interpol request from India. Vanuatu’s citizenship program, appealing to the wealthy, raises concerns about misuse. Modi’s current legal status is unclear after losing both his Indian and Vanuatu citizenships.
Lalit Modi, a prominent figure in the world of cricket, significantly impacted the sport when he founded the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2008. Despite his influence, he became embroiled in various controversies and fraud allegations, prompting him to relocate to London in 2010. Currently, Modi is in the process of surrendering his Indian passport, having acquired citizenship of Vanuatu, a small island nation known for its favorable citizenship program for affluent individuals.
Vanuatu, located east of Australia, offers a citizenship-by-investment program that requires a payment of approximately Rs. 1.3 crore. The streamlined process allows individuals to acquire citizenship and a passport within a month, all facilitated online. This nation is attractive to investors due to its status as a tax haven with no income, corporate, or wealth taxes. However, there are concerns from various authorities about potential abuses of such programs.
Following Modi’s acquisition of Vanuatu citizenship, Prime Minister Jotham Napat announced the cancellation of his passport. This decision was influenced by a request from Indian authorities for an Interpol alert regarding Modi, which was initially rejected for lack of evidence. Napat emphasized that Vanuatu’s citizenship is a privilege contingent on legitimate grounds for application. Consequently, Modi’s loss of both Indian and Vanuatu citizenship raises questions about his legal status going forward.
In sum, Lalit Modi’s recent shift in citizenship status highlights the complexities surrounding nationality and the implications of legal disputes. His decision to pursue Vanuatu citizenship, driven by its appealing investment program, has led to the unexpected revocation by its Prime Minister following Indian authorities’ concerns. This scenario underscores the potential vulnerabilities within citizenship-by-investment frameworks, particularly concerning individuals facing legal scrutiny.
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