NEW DELHI- Vanuatu has canceled the passport of former Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman Lalit Modi, citing concerns that he was using it to evade extradition to India. Prime Minister Jotham Napat emphasized that citizenship is a privilege, not a right, and ordered its revocation.

Lalit Modi is wanted by Indian law enforcement agencies in connection with allegations of embezzlement of crores of rupees during his stint as the IPL chief

Vanuatu Prime Minister Jotham Napat on Monday directed the Citizenship Commission to cancel the passport issued to former Indian Premier League (IPL) founder Lalit Modi, saying that the fugitive was attempting to avoid his extradition.

Prime Minister emphasised that holding a Vanuatu passport is a privilege, not a right, and applicants must seek citizenship for legitimate reasons.

Vanuatu Prime Minister Jotham Napat directed the country's Citizenship Commission to cancel the Vanuatu passport issued to former Indian Premier League (IPL) commissioner, Lalit Modi following recent revelations in international media,

The move will potentially make Lalit Modi an illegal alien in the UK as he recently applied to the Indian high commission in London to surrender his Indian passport after obtaining Vanuatu citizenship

Lalit Modi challenges Vanuatu government's decision to revoke his passport in court. Modi, currently in Vanuatu, has appealed the cancellation of his citizenship. India's high commission in London had refused his request to surrender his Indian passport.