Former IPL boss Strap: Lalit Modi, who has been residing in the United Kingdom since 2009 applied for citizenship in the tax haven which has no extradition treaty with India
Former Indian Premier League chairman Lalit Modi and his family have applied for citizenship in Saint Lucia, an erstwhile island nation in the east Carribeans. Modi along with his wife Minalini, daughter Aliya and son Ruchir have also applied for the same.
In a message dated June 7, authorities in Castries, the capital of St Lucia, got in touch with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) -- the nodal agency for Interpol in India to conduct a background check on the Modi's. A tax haven, St Lucia is apparently very selective about granting citizenship rights to those availing it under their Investment Scheme.
In its request, Castries has asked CBI on a "TOP PRIORITY" basis to provide any records of criminal matters they may have pending against the four applicants.
In 2009, the ex-Vice President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), managed to escape to the United Kingdom when the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Directorate of Revenue (DRI) started probing his business dealings during his tenure as the chairman of IPL (2008-2010). Modi claimed, he escaped since there was a threat to his life if he stayed.
The ED's attempts to extradite Modi from the UK have met several roadblocks. It is written to the UK under the mutual legal assistance treaty (MLAT), requesting them to allow a team of investigators to question the former IPL commissioner in London.
While India has an extradition treaty with the UK, and legal options may be available to them, the country has none with Saint Lucia according to a list available on CBI's website.
Attempts to reach Sunil Godhwani, honorary consul, head of honorary consulate of Saint Lucia for India, were unsuccessful.
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