Passport verification system is questionable

Passport verification system is questionable

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Aug 13, 2014:    Malpractices in passport verification have  reduced dramatically  yet loopholes do exist and to plug these, the Mangalore police authority has put in place a system for over a year, in particular in  regard to the address of the applicant.

It’s not enough for the police to go to the residence of the applicant but it also requires them to take a photograph along with the applicant and his neighbours near the house with the building clearly visible. This prevents malpractice and also proof police personnel have visited and verified the address, said police commissioner R Hithendra. The photograph will be filed and if there’s any problem, details of those who had done the verification will be available.

Earlier the system needed the applicant to go to the police station with ID proof and address proof.  This was replaced by the applicant taking two neighbours with him to vouch that he is indeed a resident of that place.

PUCL district vice-president Kabeer Ullal said this is unnecessary and it causes harassment to neighbours, especially when it’s a woman applicant. Police said there have been no objections and people are happy with it.

According to statistics given by home minister KJ George’s office, in 2014, there were 11,828 passport verifications and 89 were rejected for various reasons including improper residential address and criminal background in Mangalore commissionerate jurisdiction. The highest rejections came in Mangalore South and Ullal police station limits with 18 and 12 respectively.