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

We often receive queries from individuals in urgent need of travel who have applied for a passport under the Tatkal scheme. A common situation is that of Mr. Rohan Mehta from the city of Aryavarta. He recently applied for a Tatkal passport and secured an appointment at the local Passport Seva Kendra (PSK). His application was approved, and he was informed that the passport would be dispatched after a successful police verification. However, Mr. Mehta had a confirmed international flight just two days after his PSK appointment and was worried that the police verification process would delay his passport, causing him to miss his flight. He had heard rumours that visiting the police station directly might involve unofficial payments to expedite the process and was seeking clarity on the correct and legal procedure to follow.

Advice in such cases

Navigating administrative processes under tight deadlines can be stressful. Here is some practical advice if you find yourself in a similar situation:

• Proactively visit the local police station under whose jurisdiction your address falls. Do not wait for them to contact you.
• Carry copies of all your documents: the passport application receipt (ARN), Aadhar card, proof of address, and proof of urgent travel (like flight tickets).
• Politely explain your situation and the urgency to the officer in charge of passport verifications.
• Ensure you have a local reference (a neighbour) who can vouch for your residency at the given address.
• Never offer or agree to pay any money beyond the official government fees. Paying a bribe is a serious criminal offense.
• 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 primary legislation governing the issuance of passports in India is the Passports Act, 1967. The police verification is an administrative procedure conducted under the provisions of this Act to verify the applicant’s identity, address, and criminal antecedents.

If an official demands a bribe, this action is punishable under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. Similarly, offering a bribe is also an offense. While the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) govern the country’s criminal justice system, the passport verification itself is an executive function. However, any criminal record against an applicant, which is checked during this verification, would be based on cases registered and processed under the BNS and BNSS.

If you are the complainant

In this context, you are the applicant for a government service, not a complainant in a dispute. Your role is to facilitate the verification process by providing accurate information and necessary documents promptly.

• Your primary responsibility is to cooperate fully with the verification officer.
• You have the right to a timely and fair verification process without having to pay any bribes.
• If you face undue delays or demands for money, you have the right to escalate the matter to senior police officials or the Regional Passport Officer (RPO).
• 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 become a victim of corruption, where an officer demands a bribe to expedite your verification or to submit a favourable report, you should take immediate action.

• Do not give in to the demand. Politely refuse and state that you are only liable to pay the official fees.
• Note down the details of the officer, including their name and rank, and the time and date of the incident.
• Report the matter to the Superintendent of Police (SP) of your district or a higher-ranking official.
• You can also file a complaint with the state’s Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) or the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC).
• 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

How the police behave in such cases

The behaviour of the police can vary. In most cases, police officers are professional and follow the established procedure. For Tatkal applications, they are aware of the urgency and generally process them on a priority basis. The process typically involves the following steps:

• The District Police Headquarters receives the verification request electronically from the Passport Office.
• It is forwarded to the concerned police station based on the applicant’s address.
• An officer is assigned the verification task. This officer may call you to the station with your documents or visit your provided address.
• The officer verifies your original documents, confirms your period of stay at the address, and may ask a neighbour to act as a witness.
• They check the police database for any criminal cases against you.
• Once satisfied, they submit their report online, which is then accessible to the Regional Passport Office.

Unfortunately, there are instances of corruption where officers may intentionally delay the process or demand money. It is crucial for applicants to be aware of their rights and not succumb to such illegal demands.

FAQs people normally have

What evidence is required?

For police verification, you must present the original documents you submitted with your passport application. The key documents are:

• Proof of Present Address (Aadhar Card, Voter ID, Electricity Bill, Rent Agreement, etc.).
• Proof of Date of Birth (Birth Certificate, School Leaving Certificate, PAN Card).
• The Passport Application Receipt with the Application Reference Number (ARN).
• Two passport-sized photographs with a white background.
• Proof of urgent travel, such as confirmed flight tickets, can be helpful to present to the officer to underscore the urgency.

How long will the investigation take?

The term “investigation” in this context refers to the verification process. For Tatkal applications, the police verification is expected to be completed on an expedited basis. While there is no fixed statutory timeline, it is generally completed within 2 to 7 days. By proactively visiting the police station and providing all necessary documents and cooperation, you can significantly speed up this process. The timeline can be affected by factors such as the workload at the police station, availability of the verification officer, and the clarity of your documents.

Advocate Sudhir Rao, Supreme Court of India