Stepped up vigil to detect submission of fake documents

The Regional Passport Office here has stepped up vigil following increase in submission of fake documents in the last few months to obtain passports under the Tatkal scheme through touts and unauthorised agents.

Officials said such cases had been detected in recent months when cross checked with issuing authorities.

The Tiruchi office receives about 60 applications daily under Tatkal Scheme. Applicants under TS have to submit three of any of 14 supporting documents and at least one of three should be a photo identity.

Fifteen persons had been arrested in the last few months in this regard and some of them were innocent and illiterates, who were misled by touts or unauthorised agents, who provided them fake documents, including birth certificates, R Balamurugan, Regional Passport Officer, said.

The RPO Cautioned applicants against approaching such persons and said submission of fake documents was a criminal offence. Passports are a vital document and if the offence was detected later, they could land in jails abroad. Their passports would then be revoked and impounded.

Applicants could however, enlist the help of authorised agents or ex-servicemen posted at the Passport Office campus to assist them, he said.

Officials said more checks would be in place soon once the Passport Seva Kendras became functional. Two such kendras are coming up here and in Thanjavur and are expected to become functional by May.