Citizens won’t be called to police stations for passport verification: CP

Pandey on Saturday afternoon tweeted: “#PassportVerification. We have decided no citizen will be called to the police station in Mumbai, except in exceptional cases of documents being incomplete etc. If not followed, do report

Mumbai: City’s police commissioner (CP) Sanjay Pandey on Saturday announced on Twitter that henceforth citizens will not be called to the police stations for passport verification, unless required in exceptional cases for completing documentation.

Many people used to find it inconvenient due to the odd timings and sometimes unavailability of the staff at the police station, as they are also put on other bandobast duties during important events in the area. (Agencies)

Pandey on Saturday afternoon tweeted: “#PassportVerification. We have decided no citizen will be called to the police station in Mumbai, except in exceptional cases of documents being incomplete etc. If not followed, do report.”

The decision by the top cop was welcomed by many on the social media platforms. Many citizens also suggested the senior IPS officer to also enhance and strengthen the overall passport verification process to prevent inconvenience to citizens caused by the lethargic and negligent approach of police constables.

One person, however, expressed apprehension. He replied to the CP’s tweet asking, “Then sir, how would the verification happen without citizens being present in front of the inspector with documents.”

Pandey replied, “Constable who comes to your house does all the work. He is competent. You may get called in only if there is a discrepancy but not as a norm.”

Presently, persons who apply for passports are called to local police stations, within whose jurisdictions they reside, on a pre-decided date and time along with relevant documents for verification of their passport applications.

Many people used to find it inconvenient due to the odd timings and sometimes unavailability of the staff at the police station, as they are also put on other bandobast duties during important events in the area.

Several individuals had also complained to the police chief about the procedure of police verification of the passport application, alleging that the lower rank police personnel deliberately made the verification process more inconvenient to citizens to force them to grease their palms.

Taking due note of the complaints, the new CP has come out with this decision to make passport verification more convenient for people.