CBI arrests official & agent in 7 fake Tatkaal passports case

Mumbai: The CBI has arrested a passport official and an agent after it was allegedly found that seven passports were issued on the basis of fake documents, and five of the passport holders have left the country, raising security concerns.The investigation showed that the identity of the seven passport holders is not clear. "It is a grave security concern that the seven passports have been issued fresh in the Tatkaal mode," CBI said in the remand application.The CBI produced the arrested accused before the court Wednesday for their remand and informed the court that the duo facilitated passport issuance for "seven unknown persons purporting as Raj Pareshkumar Prajapati, Sameer Parvez Shaikh, Mumtaz Parvez Shaikh, Nipa Tushar Shah, Roshni Shah, Tushar Prakash Shah and Jay Vishnubhai Prajapati... The seven unknown persons had submitted forged documents such as Aadhaar and PAN card copies, bank statements and birth certificates in token of their address and identity proof in the passport office". Further, passports in the name of Nipa Tushar Shah, Tushar Prakash Shah and Jay Vishnubhai Prajapati have been issued in the ECNR mode (Emigration Check Not Required)," CBI said.The court granted the CBI custody of the accused until June 2.In July last year, the CBI, with the assistance of RPO Mumbai officials and the vigilance department, conducted surprise inspections at the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) centres in Malad and Lower Parel. One arrested individual, Akshay Meena, served as a verification officer at the Lower Parel PSK. He allegedly maintained regular contact with agents and received illegal payments for facilitating passport issuance. The investigation showed his involvement in issuing passports to seven individuals and sharing illegal payments with colleagues.The CBI's examination of WhatsApp communications between Meena and other accused allegedly showed discussions about payments and coordination regarding the seven suspicious passport applications.