Requests by banks to suspend passports of defaulters on rise

Plagued by the problems of bad loans, public sector banks are making a beeline for Regional Passport Office in Chandigarh with request to suspend passports of "chronic" loan defaulters in order to prevent them from escaping from the country.

"We have seen a jump in the number of requests by public sector banks, seeking suspension of passports of those who have not repaid their loans, " Regional Passport Officer (Chandigarh), Rakesh Aggarwal said on May 17.

The passport office used to receive 5-10 such requests by banks in a year. "But in last about two weeks, our office received around 15-20 requests by banks for suspension of passports," he further said.

Among those whose travel documents have been sought to be suspended are a few women borrowers.

The Regional Passport Office has issued show cause notices to passport holders against whom the request for suspension has been received.

"We have issued notices to those against whom banks have made requests for suspension of passports," Aggarwal said adding the matter was being investigated.

Regional Passport Office Chandigarh serves UT Chandigarh and several districts of Punjab and Haryana.

A PSU bank official on condition of anonymity said banks are submitting requests with passport offices to suspend passport of loan defaulters so that they could be prevented from leaving the country.

Banks are also requesting with Debt Recovery Tribunal (DRT) for impounding passports of loan defaulters.

"Banks through their advocates are requesting DRTs in ongoing and fresh cases against defaulters for impounding passports of loan defaulters," local advocate Iqbal Mohammad said.