IPL Founder Lalit Modi Becomes British Citizen

UPDATE - follow-up to IPL founder Lalit Modi acquires British citizenship, calls it 'home for many years': Indian Premier League founder Lalit Modi has announced that he is now a British citizen. New Delhi has repeatedly pressed the U.K. for his return to face legal proceedings in India.

Details of Citizenship

Mr. Modi announced on X that he had been naturalised as a British citizen on September 20. He later shared the news in person at the Oxford Union on Saturday, November 14, 2026, noting that the date was also the birthday of King Charles III. He stated that the United Kingdom has been his home for many years, adding that his life's journey has been shaped by different cultures.

Legal Background

Mr. Modi departed India in 2010. He faced accusations in India of financial irregularities, money laundering, and violating the Foreign Exchange Management Act during his time as Vice President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India in 2009 and 2010. A case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act was registered based on an FIR filed by the Tamil Nadu police on October 13, 2010. A non-bailable warrant was issued against him in 2015 after he failed to respond to multiple summonses from the Enforcement Directorate. In February 2017, the Enforcement Directorate requested U.K. authorities to transfer him to India using the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty process. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also raised the return of economic offenders with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in July 2025. Mr. Modi has previously argued that he is not a fugitive because he has not been convicted in any case in India.

Context

Acquiring the citizenship of another country results in the automatic loss of Indian citizenship. This status change adds further legal steps for authorities seeking extradition in economic and financial cases.