Vanuatu orders scrapping of Lalit Modi's passport amid investigation in India

In a setback to fugitive founder of the Indian Premier League (IPL) Lalit Modi, who had recently filed an application with the Indian High Commission in London to surrender his Indian passport, the Prime Minister of the Pacific island-nation Vanuatu, Jotham Napat on Monday issued a direction to his Citizenship Commission to cancel the passport issued to Modi, saying that the latter was attempting to avoid extradition.

- MUKESH RANJAN @ New Delhi

The decision was taken after recent revelations that the former IPL chief is wanted by Indian law enforcement in connection with alleged embezzlement of crores during his stint as the head of IPL.

In an official media release, a copy of which is with this newspaper, issued by the Republic of Vanuatu quoting Prime Minister Napat read: "I have instructed the Citizenship Commission to cancel the Vanuatu passport issued to Mr Lalit Modi following revelations in international media."