One of my clients recently had a case which I am explaining below and if you are stuck in such similar situation, here is what to do.
Note: Due to attorney-client privilege, I cannot disclose complete case details or identify the actual parties involved. However, I am sharing the essential facts and legal approach so that if you find yourself in a similar situation, you can understand the available solutions and legal remedies.
TL;DR: A passport verification stuck under review after an address mismatch is not normal. Visit the RPO personally, carry proof of your actual residence, and file a written grievance. If that doesn’t work, a writ petition before the High Court under Article 226 can compel the passport office to act fast.
Rohan Gupta walked out of the Passport Seva Kendra in Nagpur on a muggy morning in early May 2025, feeling like things had gone well. He’d applied for a passport renewal back in April. The online form threw him a curveball — it wouldn’t accept his old passport number and pushed him into applying for a fresh passport instead. He filled an acknowledgement form at the centre about the error. That, he thought, was the end of the glitch. Two days later a police officer came to his address for verification. Rohan lived in a rented flat in the Pratap Nagar area. But he had — quite innocently — filled his Aadhaar-card address, which was his parents’ home in Jabalpur, thinking that was what the form demanded. He didn’t know he was supposed to write his current living address. When the officer asked, Rohan fumbled, then told the truth. The officer remarked that this could be “sorted out” with some “help.” Rohan stayed quiet. No money changed hands. The officer said he’d get the work done anyway. Rohan assumed things were moving. A month passed. Nothing. He logged into the Passport Seva portal and saw the words: *Police Verification Report is under review.* He waited another two weeks. Still no change. Then a friend told him that wasn’t normal. So he filed a grievance online. When he checked its status, the portal returned a baffling error: *No such service request found of this criteria.* An email confirmation sat in his inbox, but the system had swallowed his complaint whole. That’s when he approached the Chamber of Advocate Sudhir Rao. His own efforts had hit a wall. Advocate Sudhir Rao, who regularly handles passport and administrative law matters, immediately pinpointed what had gone wrong — a cascade of a small form-filling error and systemic opacity. The office prepared a detailed representation to the Regional Passport Officer, attaching the correct rental agreement and the grievance email trail. Within ten days the police report was re-evaluated. The passport was dispatched. Now, this outcome wasn’t magic. It relied on knowing exactly which provision to invoke, what documents matter, and how to break an administrative logjam before it turns into months of stonewalling.Key Facts of the Case
- The applicant inadvertently applied for a fresh passport because the system rejected his existing passport number during renewal.
- He wrote his Aadhaar-card address (parental home) instead of his current rented residence on the form.
- Police verification happened within two days, but the reporting officer flagged the address mismatch.
- A hint of a bribe was made; the applicant did not pay.
- The verification status remained “under review” for over a month.
- An online grievance filed on the Passport Seva portal could not be tracked and showed a “no such service request” error.
- Direct legal intervention through a written representation to the RPO, backed by proper documentary proof, resulted in clearance of the verification and passport issuance.
The Direct Legal Answer
The passport verification is “under review” – what does that actually mean?
It means the police report has been sent to the RPO, but the Passport Officer has not yet accepted it. This can happen because of discrepancies like address mismatch, adverse comments, or pending clarifications. The file sits in limbo until someone pushes it.
What should I do next when the grievance portal shows no record?
Don’t rely solely on the online system. Visit the Regional Passport Office personally. Carry a written representation addressed to the Passport Officer, explaining the facts. Attach your correct address proof — rental agreement, utility bill, or a notarised affidavit if you’ve recently moved. Also carry the grievance email and screenshot of the portal error. Request an acknowledgment of your representation.
If nothing moves even after visiting the RPO?
The high court’s writ jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution is your remedy. A writ of mandamus can direct the passport authority to decide your application within a fixed time. That’s the fastest legal route to break an administrative deadlock. And that’s where a lawyer who understands this process can cut through the bureaucratic tangle.
Advice in Such Cases
Consult with Lawyer: The very basic and important step to start is talk to Lawyer / advocate. You should not hesitate in paying his consultation fee i.e. might be in range of Rs. 10,000 to 50,000 depends case to case. He is helping you in this situation to come out. He is expert in the domain and can help you explain the procedure which you might have never explored. A good lawyer can get the issues resolved much faster than you think.
Do not let the “under review” status drift for months. The longer a file sits unattended, the harder it becomes to get anyone’s attention. Mark your calendar — if there’s no change within two weeks of a police visit, follow up immediately.
Gather all your documents before you approach the RPO. A missing rental receipt or a faded Aadhaar copy is enough to send you back to square one. Meticulous preparation is half the battle.
This type of matter demands advocates with domain-specific experience. Passport issuance isn’t a routine civil suit. The procedural levers — from the Passport Act to writ practice — are unique. A general practitioner may not be fully familiar with the administrative workflow of RPOs. Engaging someone who handles these cases regularly often means the difference between a three-month wait and a swift, targeted intervention.
Applicable Sections of Law
- Passports Act, 1967: Section 5 (issue of passports), Section 6 (refusal of passports), and Section 9 (power to vary or cancel). These define the basic framework of eligibility and the grounds on which a passport can be denied or delayed.
- Passports Rules, 1980: Rule 13 and Rule 14 lay down the procedure for police verification and the manner in which the passport authority is to process the application post-verification.
- Constitution of India, Article 226: The high court’s power to issue writs, including mandamus, against a public authority that fails to perform its statutory duty.
Limitation Period
There is no strict statutory limitation for filing a writ petition under Article 226. But the doctrine of laches applies. If you let a passport delay fester beyond five or six months without any legal action, the court may view your inaction as a sign that the matter isn’t urgent. That can weaken your case. So while the law doesn’t give a fixed number, the practical window is narrow. Act before the delay becomes a story of your own making.
Interim Reliefs Available
In a writ petition, the high court can’t issue an interim passport immediately. But it can direct the RPO to decide the application within a specific timeline — often four to six weeks — and to report compliance. The court may also call for the verification file to examine where the blockage lies. An interim direction like this can compress a year-long drift into a manageable, accountable process. That’s your leverage.
If You Are the Victim
- Go to the RPO in person. Online portals have cascading glitches; human intervention still works.
- Get a stamped acknowledgment of every representation you submit; date and time are crucial evidence later.
- If an officer hints at a bribe, do not engage. Note the conversation, date, and time. That note can protect you from a false adverse report.
- Contact a lawyer who handles passport matters before your travel date comes too close.
- Preserve every email, screenshot, and SMS. A paper trail is the only thing a court will trust.
Documents You Must Keep Ready
- Aadhaar card (even if it shows an old address)
- Current address proof: registered rent agreement, utility bill, or notarised affidavit
- Passport application receipt with the file number visible
- Police verification slip (if provided)
- Screenshots of the “under review” status and the grievance portal error
- Email copy of the grievance confirmation from the Passport Seva
- Any prior correspondence with the RPO
- A short written chronology of dates: application, police visit, grievance filed, RPO visit
What Evidence Is Required?
- The “under review” status screen grab from the portal — primary evidence of administrative inaction.
- The grievance email and any automated response.
- A record of your personal visit to the RPO: bring a notebook, get an entry-pass number if possible, and note down the name of the officer you met.
- Rental agreement and rent receipts for the last two months — these prove current residence.
- If you’ve shifted recently, an affidavit explaining the move and temporary nature of stay.
- Call logs showing any phone conversation with the police officer or helpdesk.
- Any written communication or SMS from the officer demanding a bribe — such evidence is powerful before a court.
How Courts Typically Approach Such Cases
High courts across the country have consistently treated indefinite passport delays as a violation of the right to travel, which is part of personal liberty under Article 21. Courts are particularly strict when the delay seems to be linked to a form-filling error rather than a national-security concern. In many cases, a single hearing with a short direction to the RPO has been enough to unlock the file. The bench usually asks why a ministerial act is being stalled. That question, from a court, often does what months of waiting cannot.
Timeline of Legal Process
- Representation to RPO: 1 day; RPO typically responds within 15–30 days if the matter is straightforward.
- Writ petition filing: Drafting and filing takes 2–3 days once documents are ready.
- First hearing: In many high courts, urgent listing can happen within one to two weeks.
- Direction by court: The court may give the RPO 4–6 weeks to decide the application and report compliance.
- Passport issuance: If the direction is followed, the passport can be dispatched within a few weeks after the order.
- Worst-case loop: If the RPO raises a fresh objection, a second hearing may be needed, adding another two months.
Understanding the Costs
The total cost of a matter like this varies significantly from one case to the next — it depends on the complexity of the dispute, the forum involved, the number of hearings, and the specific facts of your situation. There is no single fixed figure that applies to everyone.
A professional advocate can give you an accurate estimate only after reviewing all your facts and documents in a consultation.
Can the Matter Be Settled Out of Court?
Passport issuance is not a dispute between private parties, so there is no “settlement” in the traditional sense. But the matter can certainly be resolved without litigation. A well-drafted representation to the RPO, supported by the right evidence, often resolves the issue administratively. That’s the first, and preferred, route. If your travels are urgent, mentioning your intended date of departure and the potential for irretrievable hardship in the representation can accelerate things. Only when the RPO remains deaf does litigation become necessary. And even then, the court will likely give the authority one more chance to decide before passing a final order.
Common Mistakes People Make
- Waiting months without checking the status, assuming that “no news is good news.” Passport systems don’t work that way.
- Entering an old or permanent address on the form when they live elsewhere — the single biggest trigger for verification being stuck.
- Not retaining the acknowledgment slip from the Passport Seva Kendra or the police verification.
- Trusting that an online grievance has been registered when the portal itself throws an error.
- Engaging an advocate who does not regularly handle passport matters. The Passport Act and the writ jurisdiction have their own procedural rhythms. A lawyer who doesn’t know them may draft a vague representation that the RPO can ignore, losing you crucial weeks.
- Approaching the wrong forum — filing a consumer complaint or a civil suit instead of a writ petition, which only delays the real remedy.
FAQs People Normally Have
Can I travel with an expired passport while the renewal is stuck?
No. An expired passport is not valid for travel. You need the new passport or an emergency certificate.
Will a police verification “under review” affect future passport applications?
Not if resolved cleanly. But an unresolved adverse report can be flagged in the system. It is better to close it now.
Is it a criminal offence if I wrote the wrong address on the form?
A genuine mistake is not a criminal offence under Section 24 of the Passports Act unless you knowingly furnished false information with intent to deceive. The acknowledgement form you signed at the centre helps prove it was an error.
How long does an RPO take to reply to a written representation?
There’s no statutory timeline, but the citizen’s charter expects a reply within 30 days. If there’s no reply, that itself is a ground for filing a writ.
Can I file a writ petition without a lawyer?
Technically, yes. As a practical matter, drafting a writ petition requires specific legal knowledge — wrong prayers or a poorly framed petition can be dismissed at the admission stage.
This article is general legal information, not legal advice. Consult a qualified advocate about your specific situation.
Advocate Sudhir Rao, Supreme Court of India
Facing a similar matter? Speak to a criminal advocate in Delhi — Advocate Sudhir Rao appears in bail, trial and appellate matters before the Delhi District Courts, the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court of India.