Lalit Modi, former Indian cricketer and former chairman of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, has been granted British citizenship. The decision was made after a 16-year absence from India. Modi, who played for the Indian national team in the 1990s, has not lived in India since 2008.
The citizenship was awarded following a naturalization process. Modi has lived in the United Kingdom since 2008, primarily in London. His application was processed by the UK Home Office, which approved his request. The exact date of the approval was not disclosed in the report.
Modi’s move to the UK was linked to personal and professional reasons. He has been involved in various business ventures in the UK. His citizenship application was part of a broader effort to establish a new life outside India. The process required him to meet residency and financial criteria.
Modi’s citizenship is notable given his past in Indian cricket. He was involved in the 2007 Indian cricket scandal, which led to his resignation from the BCCI. Since then, he has remained in the UK. His recent citizenship reflects a long-term commitment to his new country.
The decision highlights the ease with which long-term residents can gain citizenship in the UK. It also underscores the personal choices of individuals who have spent significant time abroad. Modi’s case is one of many involving former athletes and public figures seeking new national identities.
