Priyanka Tiwari
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The one and only Lalit Modi, who is known for being the visionary behind the IPL, has been famous for quite some time. Is it a bit much? Maybe. But time and again the way in which he planned and executed IPL is something that he should be given credit for. The tournament has now become a sporting marvel – practically worshipped for the way in which it manages to engage the viewers repeatedly throughout the years.
Fast forward to 2025, he is now a citizen of Vanuata, the Ministry of External Affairs confirmed this on Friday. Modi, who has been a India citizen till now, has applied for a citizenship for surrendering his Indian Passport at the high commission in London.
Everything comes with a backstory, so let's talk about Lalit Modi and his life achievements.
Early life of Lalit Modi
Knowing more about his family lineage is quite interesting as he belongs to the powerful Modi family which was known for building the Modi Group in 1933. It was Gujarmal Modi, Lalit's grandfather, who began the sugar mill which, when expanded, ultimately led to various other sectors including entertainment, beverages and personal care.
Lalit pursued a dual degree in Electrical Engineering and Business Administration in the United States, which he subsequently dropped out of. His era was surrounded by controversies as he was arrested for cocaine Trafficking and Second-degree Kidnapping for which he was sentenced to two years of imprisonment that was later reduced to 100 hours of community service.
He returned to India citing health issues and went on to assist his family business which served as a crucial point to transform him from a corporate heir to a controversial celebrity. ‘
Lalit’s Entry Into Entrepreneurship
In 1993, he established Modi Entertainment Network with the intention of bringing foreign shows to India. Noticing the Indian fascination with cricket and influenced by international sporting leagues, he introduced the IPL, integration of entertainment, sponsorship, and cricket in the form of T20 cricket.
Modi was first met with resistance from the BCCI, after which he became a member of the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association and later on became BCCI Vice President in 2005. In 2008 he made the first move launching the Indian Premier League, became its first chairman, and significantly contribute India's sporting brand recognition.
When it all fell away
The IPL filled Lalit Modi’s pocket with so much money that it turned greedy with copious amount of perks leading to his worst scandal yet – the MSM-WSG facilitation fee scam. MSM, now owned by Sony, tried to purchase media rights during his IPL years, but BCCI insisted that WSG Mauritius has them and asked for a facilitating fee of 425 crores. While MSM paid 125 crores to a Mauritius coffers, there was no BCCIS WSG contract in existence as Modi was single-handedly doing all the deals.
The Enforcement Directorate apparently believes that Modi might have received some benefit out of that payment. He also got charged for IPL funding to a so-called friend and family circle who he gave looser terms of owning the team.
This bulge of muddle goes to another level with his blaring association with then-Chairman of Rajasthan, Vasundhara Raje, who along with her son was alleged to have dubious dealings through a shell corporation in Mauritius.
Continued Fracture
Modi got verbose on Twitter and was caught posting private information of the stockholding of the Kochi Tuskers Kerala leading to his infamous divorce with Shashi Tharoor. He is also said to have forced the Kochi franchise to give up the franchise so that another group could bid for the team which adds to the pole of controversies revolving this man. It is said that he added unauthorized terms on purpose to hand bids to Videocon and Adani.
Suspension as chairman of IPL
Lalit Modi has been suspended as an IPL chairman since April 2010. He was served a 34-page notice consisting of 22 different accounts of alleged wrongdoing. The BCCI’s disciplinary committee chaired by Arun Jaitley, and Jyotiraditya Scindia found him guilty of financial misappropriation, misconduct, and working against the interests of BCCI Irregular expenses by Lalit Modi.
In 2018, the Enforcement Directorate penalized the BCCI, N. Srinivasan, and Modi for Rs. 121.56 crores for breaching FEMA regulations while remitting money for the IPL in South Africa in 2009, citing infringement of RBI rules.
Runs away from India
Ever since 2010, Indian law enforcement has been chasing after Lalit Modi for financial misconduct and accusations of tax evasion. Modi fled to the UK claiming he was under threat from the ‘underworld,’ thus joining the league of high-profile fugitives.
Interpol issued a light blue notice against him to gather more intelligence for his arrest in India. The Enforcement Directorate was keen for a universal direction order, but Interpol denied the request in 2017. Even though there was an ongoing investigation, Indian authorities tried to formulate a method to get him extradited.
Surrenders his Indian Passport
He is still making headlines in 2025 but this time, it is after surrendering his Indian passport. It is known that he has been residing in London ever since he moved out of India in 2010. In the words of External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, ‘He has made an application for surrendering his passport at the High Commission of India, London.’
‘We are told that he has received citizenship of Vanuatu. We are still submitting the case to him as the law demands,’ he went on.
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