Curation Team
MUMBAI: Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for police verification for obtaining a passport are prepared by the Centre, but the Maharashtra government will look into problems faced by citizens whose residential buildings are under redevelopment, a minister said on Wednesday.
Speaking in the assembly, Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam (Urban) noted address verification for a passport is a national security issue and the exercise involves the applicant’s identity and details provided in the application, including pending criminal cases, if any.
Notably, police verification for issuance of the overseas travel document is conducted at the applicant’s residential address and redevelopment of old buildings leads to temporary change in home location of people who resided in such buildings.
Manisha Chaudhari (BJP) pointed out that several housing societies in Mumbai have opted for redevelopment and their residents, staying elsewhere temporarily, are facing problems in completing police verification process, a necessary prerequisite for getting a passport.
”Police don’t take bank passbooks, Aadhaar, PAN card, voter card, society redevelopment documents into consideration for passport verification,” she complained.
Kadam highlighted that residential address verification for the key document, issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), is a national security issue.
“(To check) criminal antecedents (if any) of an individual is also necessary,” the minister replied, adding there is a provision for mentioning both temporary and permanent addresses in passport application.
Ameet Satam (BJP) objected to the reply, contending he doubted if a provision is there for both addresses in the application form.
Passport data is used to locate those who have violated laws so it needs to be accurate, the minister told the lower house.
“If SOPs are not followed and citizens are subjected to hardships, it will look into it,” Kadam assured, adding rent receipts are considered a residential address proof for passport renewal.
Kadam emphasised residential addresses provided in passport application have to be thoroughly verified by police as per guidelines laid down by the central government. Applicants are required to furnish both permanent and current addresses.
“Police verification will be strictly carried out at the current address mentioned in the application. Instructions will be issued to the police department accordingly,” the minister said.
The minister explained that the purpose of police verification is to confirm the identity of the applicant and check for any pending criminal cases, summons, or warrants.
“This process is crucial for national security. Police officials are mandated to visit the applicant’s address physically to verify the details,” Kadam added.
Referring to issues arising during redevelopment of buildings whose residents are temporarily relocated, the minister clarified that temporary addresses, supported by rent agreements provided by real estate developers, will be taken into consideration for verification.
Kadam asserted the state government follows the SOPs issued by the MEA, and steps are being taken to integrate technology, including artificial intelligence and digital passport apps, to make the process more efficient and transparent.
The government will launch an awareness campaign to inform citizens that police verification is conducted at the address where the passport applicant is currently residing and mentioned in the form, he added.
