Passport racket aiding anti-nationals

A passport racket exists in the City helping criminals and even anti-nationals. While Passport Office staff express helplessness in ending the menace, police officers say that brokers and agents should not be allowed to function in the office, writes K.V.SUBRAMANYA

THE SPECIAL Task Force of the Uttar Pradesh police arrested Noor Baksh, underworld don Dawood Ibrahim's associate, in Lucknow on October 6. Baksh, who is from Baluchistan, was allegedly involved in the Bangkok shootout in which Chhota Rajan was injured.

His arrest has significance to the City police. Last year, he obtained a passport from Bangalore by producing fake documents and fled to Dubai. The Ulsoor police were on the look out for him. Baksh was not the only one to obtain passports through forgery in the City. Hundreds have taken passports this way, though all of them are not criminals.

A passport racket exists in Bangalore. Police, however, say that the illegal practice has come down after the arrest of a few persons sometime ago. One such racket was busted by the Ulsoor police by arresting Babu, Haroon, Yaqoob and Ameen. Another one was busted by the Chickpet ACP, Mr. G.A.Bava, and his team. Ameen was arrested in this case also.

Police say that a majority of those who obtain passports through forgery are not matriculates and are from the weaker sections of society. With the hope of getting a job in the Gulf, they apply for passports. Normally, they will not possess documents such as the date of birth and residence certificates. This make them resort to illegal means.

According to police, forgery is done through photostat manipulation of the originals. Ration cards and school leaving certificates are used for the purpose. The Ameen gang and a few others were said to have been supplying such documents to passport seekers. Even fake rubber stamps are also used by them.

Criminals and anti-nationals such as Baksh have obtained passports by producing photostat manipulated ration cards. Baksh got his name included in the "manipulated" ration card of a family at Gowribidanur in Kolar District and applied for the passport.

These raises questions about the police verification of the passport-seeker. Police say that it is difficult to conduct meticulous verifications. Thousands apply for passports, and hence it will be difficult to conduct such verifications, says a senior officer.

Passport Office staff say that it is the duty of the police to verify the documents. "If we keep checking each and every document and compare it with the originals, the pendency rate will increase further," an official said.

Police say that many times original ration cards and school leaving certificates themselves are doctored. "We cannot rush to the Food and Civil Supplies Department and schools to verify the authenticity of ration cards and school leaving certificates everytime".

A few police officers suggest that the "non-applicant" counter at the Passport Office be closed to check the problem.

Normally, brokers and agents, some of whom allegedly indulge in forgery, submit applications at this counter on behalf of the applicants. They can be prevented from entering the office if the counter is closed.

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Section  : Southern States
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