Lalit Modi applies to surrender Indian passport after acquiring Vanuatu citizenship

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that Lalit Modi's application was submitted to the High Commission of India in London

PGurus Newsdesk

March 8, 2025

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that Lalit Modi's application was submitted to the High Commission of India in London

Lalit Modi requests passport surrender at Indian High Commission in London

Former cricket administrator Lalit Modi, currently residing in London, has applied to surrender his Indian passport, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that Modi’s application was submitted to the High Commission of India in London. He also stated that the Indian government is aware of Lalit Modi’s recent acquisition of Vanuatu citizenship.

“Lalit Modi has applied to surrender his passport at the Indian High Commission in London. The request will be reviewed as per the existing rules and procedures. We are also aware that he has obtained Vanuatu citizenship. Legal proceedings against him will continue as required under Indian law,” the MEA official stated during a press briefing.

Lalit Modi’s IPL controversy and legal battle

Lalit Modi, the founder of the Indian Premier League (IPL), was removed as IPL chairman in 2010 following allegations of financial irregularities. Since then, he has been living abroad while facing multiple legal cases in India.

Lalit Modi is not a wanted person in the UK. The ED is investigating money laundering charges against him, based on a complaint filed by Chennai Police in 2012 for alleged cheating in the T-20 tournament’s overseas telecast rights.

ED’s request to issue an Interpol red notice against Lalit Modi was rejected in 2015. The current status of the probe against him is not known and the former IPL commissioner has never joined the investigation.

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