Steps to check fake passports

bhopal: in order to avert the possibility of fake passports, the verification of passports will be done by the deputy superintendent of police in the special branch at the district headquarters. the state government has issued a circular to all sps, collectors, inspector generals and passport officer, bhopal, to strictly follow the instructions. the director-general of police has also been asked to follow these instructions.principal secretary (home) suraj prakash said in case any dy. sp or gazetted officer is not posted in the special branch office in the districts, a gazetted police officer available at the district headquarters would be nominated by the superintendent of police to verify the passport. he said this arrangement would avert the possibility of issuing a fake passport. suraj prakash said that details of the passport holders and every minute procedural detail would be recorded in each district. the officer in charge of the passport cell will verify the residential address and the photo of the applicant on the basis of records maintained by the concerned police stations and would send the verification report within seven days. in case of delay, the passport officer would be informed about the causes of delay. physical verification would be done by head constables or any senior police officer above the rank of head constable. suraj prakash said copies of the ration card, bank account number, income-tax account number, electricity bill, telephone bill, voter's identity card or driving licence would be obtained from the applicants as proof their residential address. it would also be ensured that the applicant had been residing at that place for more than a year. after physical verification, the officer-in-charge of the police station would verify if the applicant had any criminal record and his photograph. the report would be sent to the special branch where any gazetted police officer would verify it twice and send the final report to the passport office. the verifying police officer will ensure the veracity of the information about the residential address. the records of the passports would be kept for at least two years.