NEW DELHI: IPL founder Lalit Modi, who left India in 2010 amid allegations of tax evasion, money laundering and proxy ownership linked to IPL, has announced he has received British citizenship, reports Rajshekhar Jha.Lalit was appearing at an event at Oxford Union when he made the announcement.Sources said while the citizenship doesn’t grant him legal immunity or formally stop his extradition under the 1992 India-UK treaty, it might have diminished, if not eliminated, the chances of his return. Efforts to bring him back will continue, sources said. Receiving UK nationality also closes the door on potential moves like deportation, leaving formal extradition as India’s sole legal route. UK citizens who were brought to India to face trial include AgustaWestland scam accused Christian Michel and bookie Sanjeev Chawla.
In ’12, UK cited local laws to reject India’s plea for Lalit’s deportation
In a post on X on Saturday, the 62-year-old revealed that he celebrated his citizenship with family and friends at a special ceremony on September 15. Calling the UK his long-time home, he expressed deep admiration for Britain’s people, institutions, traditions and values.“Becoming British is a privilege and a responsibility that I embrace with pride, gratitude and a genuine sense of belonging. My life’s journey has been shaped by different cultures and experiences, and I look forward to continuing to contribute positively to the country I proudly call home,” he wrote, thanking the Oxford Union and signing off with, “God Save the King!”Modi has refused to return to India, citing threats from the ‘underworld’ and other quarters. He has also claimed to be the target of a political witch-hunt, which stalled the issuance of a Red Notice by Interpol.
UK citizen, 16 years after fleeing
In 2015, the CBI had sent documents to Interpol seeking a notice against him, and a non-bailable warrant was issued against him in Mumbai. Modi then applied for citizenship in the Caribbean tax haven of Saint Lucia through an investment scheme, following which the local Interpol unit there sought documents from India.
According to the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Modi manipulated the process of assigning broadcast rights for the IPL in 2009, allegedly in exchange for a kickback of over Rs 125 crore. The ED’s money laundering case followed an FIR registered against him by the Central Crime Branch of Tamil Nadu Police on October 13, 2010.The ED had Modi’s passport revoked by the Regional Passport Office in Mumbai on March 3, 2011. It was later restored on the directions of the Delhi High Court. In November 2012, the UK government was formally requested to deport him to India, but the request was denied on December 21, 2012, citing domestic laws. The ED had also sent a letter of request to the UK for the execution of the non-bailable warrant against him.