Former Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman Lalit Modi has announced that he has acquired British citizenship after living in the United Kingdom for 16 years, describing the development as a “very special and personal milestone”.
According to a report by the Indian Express, Modi made the announcement in a post on X on Saturday, November 14, choosing the occasion of King Charles III’s birthday to share the news. He also addressed the prestigious Oxford Union, where he spoke publicly about becoming a British citizen, signing off his post with the words, “God Save the King!”
Modi said the UK had been his home for many years and expressed his admiration for its people, institutions, traditions and values. Describing citizenship as both a privilege and a responsibility, he said he looked forward to making positive contributions to the country.
However, Modi remains wanted in India in connection with multiple cases involving alleged financial irregularities and money laundering. He left India in 2010 and has been living in the UK since then, the Indian Express has reported.
Modi played a central role in establishing the Indian Premier League in 2008, transforming the T20 format into a major international sporting and commercial platform.
He also oversaw the tournament's relocation to South Africa in 2009 after India's general elections created scheduling challenges. The move demonstrated the league's ability to operate on an international stage, as reported by the Indian Express.
Following the 2010 IPL final, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) suspended Modi over allegations of misconduct, indiscipline and financial irregularities, including issues linked to the bidding process for the Pune and Kochi franchises.
After an internal investigation, a BCCI disciplinary committee found him guilty and imposed a life ban in 2013, as reported by the Indian Express.
Modi subsequently settled in London and has repeatedly maintained his innocence.
In 2022, he also announced his relationship with former Miss Universe and actor Sushmita Sen.
In December 2025, Modi shared a video message on X alongside businessman Vijay Mallya, in which the two referred to themselves as the “biggest fugitives”, as quoted by the Indian Express.
However, in a July 2026 interview with news agency ANI, Modi rejected the description, insisting that he was not running from authorities.
“If I was running, you would be picking me up somewhere or the other. The Indian government has a long arm. You can’t take on the government of India. And I don’t intend to. It’s not the government. It’s the media,” Lalit Modi said, as quoted by the Indian Express.
He also argued that despite the allegations against him, there had been no concrete criminal conviction.
In 2015, a special court in Mumbai issued a non-bailable arrest warrant against Modi in connection with an alleged money-laundering case registered by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
Indian authorities have also pursued his extradition from the UK under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and the India-UK Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty, the Indian Express has reported.
In a 2016 reply to the Rajya Sabha, former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said authorities had filed an application before the special court seeking a Letter of Request to facilitate his return to India.
Modi's announcement of British citizenship marks a significant personal development, although the legal cases and extradition efforts involving him in India remain a separate matter.