Modi still to respond to passport cancellation threat

India's foreign secretary, Nirupama Rao, has threatened to cancel the former IPL commissioner Lalit Modi's passport if he does not respond to corruption charges by next Thursday.

The regional passport officer in Mumbai issued a showcause notice to Modi on October 13, asking him to explain why his passport should not be revoked. "Lalit Modi has been given 15 days to respond to the notice," Rao said. "Reply is still awaited from Lalit Modi on the notice given to him. Mumbai regional passport office confirmed he hasn't replied to the notice."

The Enforcement Directorate (ED), which looks into foreign exchange violations, had written to the external affairs ministry on October 5 asking it to revoke Modi's passport since he had persistently refused to face the ED regarding allegations of financial irregularities. Modi has been living abroad for the last few months reportedly fearing danger to his life.

The ED is examining whether Modi violated the Foreign Exchange Management Act during his time as IPL chairman. Earlier this month, the directorate issued a blue corner alert for Modi, which makes it mandatory for law-enforcement agencies around the world to detain him wherever they spot him and inform the ED accordingly.