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.
Mr. X approached me with a concerning passport application issue. He had successfully completed his document verification stage at the Regional Passport Office in City A. However, he inadvertently selected the wrong jurisdiction for police verification – choosing Area X police station instead of Area Y, which was his actual residential jurisdiction. The passport application was now stuck in the police verification stage, and Mr. X was worried whether this mistake would result in passport rejection or require him to restart the entire application process. The error occurred during online application submission where he mistakenly selected his previous address jurisdiction rather than his current residential area. This created confusion in the verification process and potential delays in passport issuance.
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.
Contact the Regional Passport Office immediately to report the jurisdictional error. Submit a written application explaining the mistake with supporting address proof. Visit the correct police station directly and inform them about your pending verification request. Most importantly, do not attempt to restart the application process without first trying to correct the existing one through proper channels.
Applicable Sections of Law
Under the Passport Act, 1967 and Passport Rules, 2023, jurisdictional police verification is mandatory. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) does not directly apply here as this is an administrative matter. However, providing false information can attract Section 318 BNS (cheating). The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) Section 173 covers police investigation procedures that may apply to verification delays. Administrative law principles under Article 14 and 21 of the Constitution ensure fair treatment in passport processing without unreasonable delays due to procedural errors.
If You Are the Complainant
- File a written complaint with the Regional Passport Office explaining the jurisdictional error
- Submit fresh address proof documents showing correct residential jurisdiction
- Request transfer of police verification to the appropriate police station
- Maintain all communication records and receipts for future reference
- Follow up regularly with both passport office and correct police station
If You Are the Victim
- Document all delays and correspondence regarding the jurisdictional error
- Contact the Grievance Redressal Officer at the Regional Passport Office
- File a complaint on the official passport portal’s grievance section
- Seek legal assistance if delays exceed reasonable timeframes
- Consider approaching the Central Administrative Tribunal for administrative relief if needed
How the Police Behave in Such Cases
Police stations typically refuse to conduct verification for addresses outside their jurisdiction. They may redirect you to the correct police station or inform the passport office about the jurisdictional mismatch. Some stations may conduct preliminary verification and then forward the case to the appropriate jurisdiction. Generally, police cooperation is good in rectifying such errors when proper channels are followed and correct documentation is provided.
FAQs People Normally Have
Will my passport be rejected due to wrong jurisdiction? Usually not, if corrected promptly through proper channels. Do I need to restart the entire application? Generally no, jurisdictional corrections can be made without restarting. How long will the correction take? Typically 2-4 weeks once proper jurisdiction is established. Can I visit the correct police station directly? Yes, inform them about your pending verification and they may coordinate with the passport office.
What Evidence Is Required?
- Current address proof documents (utility bills, rental agreement)
- Passport application acknowledgment receipt
- Written explanation of the jurisdictional error
- Previous address proof showing the mistake made
- Identity proof linking you to the correct residential address
- Communication records with passport office
- Police station visit documentation if any
How Long Will the Investigation Take?
Once the correct jurisdiction is established, police verification typically takes 15-30 days. The correction process itself may add another 7-15 days. Total timeline for passport issuance after jurisdictional correction ranges from 3-6 weeks, depending on the efficiency of coordination between the passport office and the correct police station.
Advocate Sudhir Rao, Supreme Court of India