Lalit Modi’s citizenship bid in Vanuatu failed as India’s enforcement agencies track a growing list of economic fugitives obtaining foreign citizenship. Countries such as Antigua, St Kitts, and Cyprus are implicated, allowing offenders to escape legal scrutiny. Legal leaders are raising concerns over this trend and its implications for law enforcement actions in India.

The recent bid by Lalit Modi for citizenship in Vanuatu has failed, raising concerns regarding the increasing number of Indian economic offenders finding refuge in small nations. Just nine days ago, Modi, the former IPL head, publicized his intent to acquire Vanuatu’s citizenship while attempting to surrender his Indian passport, leading to the cancellation of his passport by Vanuatu’s Prime Minister due to extradition concerns.

Countries such as St Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, Albania, and Cyprus have issued citizenship to Indian economic offenders, often unknowingly, through investment schemes. Notable figures who obtained Vanuatu citizenship include Sourabh Chandrakar and Ravi Uppal, tied to the illegal Mahadev betting syndicate, although they were captured in Dubai before relocating to Vanuatu.

Additionally, Mehul Choksi and Jatin Mehta, both implicated in major fraud cases, acquired citizenship in Antigua and Barbuda and St Kitts and Nevis, respectively. Choksi’s citizenship acquisition in 2018 preceded his identification as a fraud suspect, while Mehta has been under scrutiny since relinquishing Indian citizenship and relocating to London.

The trend of economic fugitives seeking foreign citizenship is highlighted in enforcement court complaints. For example, Aditya Talwar allegedly acquired citizenship in Antigua to evade legal processes as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) investigated his actions in the civil aviation sector. Legal expert Kapil Sibal noted that many offenders aim to escape extradition to India amid lengthy legal proceedings.

Furthermore, a considerable number of Indians participated in Cyprus’ “Golden Passport” scheme, including Anubhav Aggarwal, implicated in the NSEL fraud case. The Awasthy couple and MGM Maran are other examples of individuals who obtained Cypriot citizenship while currently facing legal challenges from Indian agencies.

Nitin Sandesara, promoted by Sterling Biotech and declared a fugitive economic offender, acquired citizenship in Albania. His affiliation with offshore companies was exposed in the Pandora Papers, causing authorities to revoke his honorary consul position in Albania due to his legal troubles in India.

This growing trend among Indian economic offenders highlights the intricate relationship between international citizenship and legal ramifications, ultimately complicating the extradition and prosecution processes.

The failures of Lalit Modi’s citizenship bid in Vanuatu expose a troubling trend whereby Indian economic offenders are acquiring citizenship in small, often tax-friendly nations to evade legal repercussions in India. Many such individuals have successfully navigated investment schemes to gain nationality, complicating enforcement efforts by Indian authorities. This phenomenon raises numerous questions about the judicial implications of citizenship and actions taken by governments to prevent abuse of such systems, compelling Indian authorities to intensify collaboration with international law enforcement agencies.

Original Source: indianexpress.com

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