Citing the denial of Indian authorities’ request for an Interpol alert because of inadequate proof, Vanuatu Prime Minister Jotham Napat has directed the Citizenship Commission to revoke the passport of Lalit Modi, founder of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
In a statement, Napat stated, “I have directed the Citizenship Commission to initiate the process of canceling Mr. Modi’s Vanuatu passport immediately.”
Although background checks revealed no criminal records, he claimed he recently learned that Indian demands for an alert on Lalit Modi were denied by Interpol for lack of evidence, which would have resulted in the denial of his citizenship application.
“I have learned in the last 24 hours that Interpol has twice denied Indian authorities’ requests to issue an alert notice on Mr. Modi due to a lack of substantial judicial evidence, even though all standard background checks, including Interpol screenings, performed during his application revealed no criminal convictions. According to PM Napat’s statement, “any such alert would have triggered an automatic rejection of Mr. Modi’s citizenship application.”
He explained that applicants must give valid justifications for their citizenship and that obtaining a Vanuatu passport is a luxury rather than a right.
“Trying to avoid extradition, which the recently revealed facts suggest was Mr. Modi’s intention, is not one of those valid reasons,” Napat continued.
According to PM Napat, more applications are failing the Vanuatu financial intelligence unit’s intensified examination because the Vanuatu government has tightened the due diligence procedure for its citizenship by investment program in recent years.
According to the statement, the revised procedure incorporates triple-agency checks, such as Interpol verification.
An archipelago of 83 islands, 65 of which are inhabited, makes up the island nation of Vanuatu in the South Pacific Ocean.
Vanuatu is halfway between Australia and Fiji, to the east of Australia and north of New Zealand. Port Vila, located on Efate Island, serves as both its capital and major city.
English and French are the official languages of Vanuatu, whereas Bislama, a Creole language, is the country’s indigenous tongue.
