If you are stuck in such a situation, here is what to do.

Mr. Alok Verma and his family, residing in the city of Janakpur, recently applied for their passports. Within a couple of days, they completed the initial verification process by visiting their local police station. However, they were informed that a police officer would also conduct a physical verification at their registered home address sometime during the upcoming week. This posed a problem for the family, as Mr. Verma, his father, and his sister are usually away from home for work and college commitments. Mr. Verma was concerned about whether his mother could handle the verification on behalf of the absent family members by providing all the necessary documents, and what the consequences would be if the police verification could not be completed due to their absence.

Advice in such cases

The home visit by the police is a critical step to physically verify that the applicant resides at the address mentioned in the passport application. While a family member can present the documents, the physical presence of the applicant is generally required by the verifying officer.

• Try to coordinate with the police station or the specific officer assigned to your case. You can visit the station and politely request the officer’s contact number to schedule a mutually convenient time for the visit.
• If rescheduling is not possible, you can inform the officer about your situation. Some officers may be satisfied with a family member’s confirmation and a brief video call with the applicant, though this is at their discretion and not a standard procedure.
• If the verification is marked as “incomplete” or “adverse” due to the applicant’s absence, it is not a final rejection. The Regional Passport Office (RPO) will inform you, and you will be given an opportunity to clarify the situation.

Applicable Sections of Law

The entire passport issuance process, including police verification, is governed by the Passports Act, 1967. While new criminal laws like the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) deal with criminal offenses, the passport verification procedure is administrative in nature.

• Section 5 of the Passports Act, 1967: This section deals with the application for passports and the procedure for their issuance. The police verification is a procedural requirement established under the authority of this Act by the Ministry of External Affairs.
• Section 6 of the Passports Act, 1967: This section outlines the grounds on which a passport application can be refused. An adverse police verification report (PVR) can be one of the reasons for refusal, for instance, if it indicates the applicant does not reside at the given address or has a criminal case pending which they did not disclose.

If you are the complainant

In this scenario, you are the applicant, not a complainant. Your role is to facilitate the verification process smoothly.

• Be Proactive: Do not simply wait for the officer to arrive. Visit your local police station a day or two after your passport file is sent for verification to inquire about the assigned officer.
• Keep Documents Ready: Have all original documents (Aadhaar card, Voter ID, bank passbook, etc.) and their photocopies ready for inspection.
• Communicate Clearly: If you anticipate being unavailable, inform the police station in advance. Clear communication can prevent a negative report.
• Consult with Lawyer: The very basic and important step to start is to talk to a Lawyer / advocate. You should not hesitate in paying his consultation fee i.e. might be in the range of Rs. 10,000 to 50,000, depending on the case. He is helping you in this situation to come out. He is an 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 in 7-10 days.

If you are the victim

If you face an adverse police report due to your unavailability, you are not a “victim” in a legal sense, but an applicant facing a procedural hurdle. Here’s what you should do.

• Await RPO Communication: The Regional Passport Office (RPO) will send you a letter or an email explaining that your police verification report is adverse or incomplete.
• Visit the RPO: The communication will usually ask you to visit the RPO with an explanation and supporting documents.
• Provide Justification: Explain the reason for your absence to the officials at the RPO. You may be asked to provide proof of your employment or college attendance. The RPO has the discretion to either clear the file or, in some cases, re-initiate the police verification process.

How the police behave in such cases

The conduct of the police can vary. Most officers follow the standard operating procedure, which requires them to meet the applicant in person. Some may be accommodating and agree to reschedule the visit. It is important to be respectful and cooperative. Politely explain your work or academic compulsions. Avoid any arguments and do not offer any form of illegal gratification, as this can lead to serious legal consequences.

FAQs people normally have

• Can my mother or father complete the verification if I am not at home? While they can show the documents and confirm your residence, the officer is mandated to verify the applicant’s physical presence. It is solely the officer’s discretion to accept verification without meeting the applicant.
• What happens if I miss the police visit? The officer will likely submit a report stating that the applicant was not available at the address. This will result in an “adverse” or “incomplete” report, and you will have to follow up with the RPO.
• Can I get the officer’s number to schedule the visit? Yes, you can visit the police station and request the contact details of the officer handling verifications for your area. This is the most effective way to coordinate the visit.

What evidence is required?

For the home verification, you need to provide evidence of your identity and your residence at the given address. The required documents typically include:

• Original and a self-attested photocopy of your Aadhaar Card.
• Original and a self-attested photocopy of another proof of address like a Voter ID card, a recent bank statement or passbook with the address, or a utility bill.
• The physical presence of the applicant is the most crucial “evidence” for the police officer.

How long will the investigation take?

The “investigation” or verification process by the police is time-bound. As per the guidelines from the Ministry of External Affairs, the police are expected to submit the Police Verification Report (PVR) to the RPO within 21 days. However, this timeline can sometimes be extended due to administrative delays or a high volume of applications. You can track the status of your police verification online on the passport seva portal.

Advocate Sudhir Rao, Supreme Court of India