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

Mr. Alok Verma, a resident of the bustling city of Shantinagar, recently applied for his first passport. The online application and appointment at the Passport Seva Kendra went smoothly. However, anxiety began to set in during the police verification stage. The verification officer who visited his home at 15, Nehru Colony, Shantinagar, was polite but thorough. After checking Alok’s documents, he requested his parents’ identification proofs as well.

Alok promptly provided his father’s passport. The problem arose with his mother’s documents. Mrs. Sunita Verma had never attended school and, like many from her generation, did not possess a formal birth certificate. Alok explained the situation, but the officer noted it down. A few days later, Alok checked his application status online, and his heart sank. The status read: “Police Verification Report is adverse and has been forwarded to the Commissioner of Police Office for review.” Alok was terrified, imagining the worst-case scenarios and the outright rejection of his application.

Advice in such cases

• Stay Calm: The status “Forwarded to Commissioner Office” is an escalation, not a rejection. It is a standard procedure when the verification report is not straightforward or ‘clear’. It means a senior officer will review your file.
• Gather Alternative Documents: For a parent lacking a birth or school certificate, you can prepare an affidavit stating their date and place of birth, sworn before a Magistrate or Notary Public. Other government-issued documents like an Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, or PAN card can also serve as supporting evidence.
• Follow Up Proactively: Do not just wait. You can visit the Regional Passport Office (RPO) to understand the specific objection raised in the police report. They can guide you on the exact supplementary documents required to clear the ‘adverse’ remark.
• Be Honest and Cooperative: When communicating with the police or passport officials, be truthful about your situation. Hiding facts can complicate the matter further.
• 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 of 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.

Applicable Sections of Law

The entire process of issuing or denying a passport in India is governed by The Passports Act, 1967, and the Passport Rules, 1980.

• The Passports Act, 1967: This is the primary legislation. Section 6 of the Act outlines the grounds on which a passport application can be refused. An adverse police verification report, if it raises genuine doubts about the applicant’s citizenship or suggests that the applicant may engage in activities prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity of India, could be a ground for refusal. However, a simple procedural issue like a missing document is usually resolvable.
• The Passport Rules, 1980: These rules detail the procedures for application, verification, and the types of documents required. They provide for alternative documents in cases where primary proofs (like a birth certificate) are unavailable.

If you are the complainant

In this context, the applicant is effectively the complainant against the procedural delay or adverse report.

• Document Everything: Keep a clear record of your application, all submitted documents, and all communications with the passport office or police.
• Prepare a Representation: Draft a formal letter or representation addressed to the Regional Passport Officer. Clearly explain the situation regarding your mother’s documents and attach copies of alternative proofs, such as a sworn affidavit.
• Visit the RPO: Personally visit the Regional Passport Office with your file number and a copy of your representation. Speaking to an official at the inquiry counter can often provide clarity and a path to resolution.
• 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 of 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.

If you are the victim

If you feel your application is being unfairly delayed or stuck despite providing all necessary clarifications, you are a victim of procedural inefficiency.

• File a Grievance: Use the official government portal for public grievances (CPGRAMS) to lodge a formal complaint against the delay. This creates a documented trail and often prompts a faster response.
• Use the RTI Act: File a Right to Information (RTI) application with the RPO, asking for the specific reasons noted in the adverse police verification report and the current status of your file review.
• 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 of 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. A lawyer can help you draft a strong legal notice to the passport authority, and if there is no response, they can file a writ petition in the High Court seeking a direction (mandamus) for the issuance of your passport.

How the police behave in such cases

The role of the police is to verify the details provided by the applicant, primarily citizenship, identity, and whether any criminal cases are pending. They are fact-finders, not decision-makers.

• Procedural: In most cases, the police follow a set procedure. If a document is missing or there’s a discrepancy, they are bound to mention it in their report.
• Adverse vs. Incomplete Report: A missing document usually leads to an ‘Incomplete’ or ‘Adverse’ report, which simply flags the issue for the RPO to look into. It is not a final verdict on your character.
• Escalation to Senior Officers: Forwarding the file to the Commissioner of Police or Superintendent of Police (in districts) is a standard escalation protocol for non-clear reports. A senior officer reviews the case to ensure due diligence was followed before the RPO makes a final decision.

FAQs people normally have

What evidence is required?

For a standard passport application, you need Proof of Address and Proof of Date of Birth. For the specific issue of a parent’s missing documents, the following can be provided:

• An affidavit sworn before a First Class Judicial Magistrate or Notary Public detailing the parent’s name, date of birth, and place of birth.
• Other Government IDs of the parent, such as an Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, or PAN card.
• The other parent’s passport, if it mentions the name of the parent in question.

How long will the investigation take?

As per government mandates, police verification should ideally be completed within 21 days. When a file is forwarded to a senior officer for review, it can add another 2 to 4 weeks to the process. However, the timeline can be shortened significantly if the applicant proactively contacts the RPO with the required supplementary documents and clarifications.

Advocate Sudhir Rao, Supreme Court of India