Vanuatu Prime Minister Jotham Napat on Monday directed the Citizenship Commission to cancel Lalit Modi’s passport cancellation. Attempting to avoid extradition is no legitimate reason for gaining the privilege of Vanuatu passport and citizenship, the PM said.

Earlier, Lalit Modi had filed an application with the Indian High Commission in London to surrender his Indian passport.

He left India in 2010 and is learnt to have been living in London. The former IPL chief is wanted by Indian law enforcement agencies in connection with allegations that he was involved in the embezzlement of crores of rupees during his stint as the top boss of the IPL.

IN PICS | Vanuatu: Facts about the island nation that has given citizenship to Lalit Modi

"He has made an application for surrendering his passport in the high commission of India, London," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.

"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 continue to pursue the case against him as required under law," he said.


READ VANUATU PRIME MINISTER'S STATEMENT IN FULL HERE:

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