Who helped Chhota Rajan get Indian passport in Australia?

MUMBAI: Who helped fugitive don Chhota Rajan land an Indian passport through the consulate in Sydney? While an ordinary citizen faces umpteen difficulties in getting a passport made in India despite genuine documents, the recovery of an "authentic" domestic passport from Rajan has raised several questions over the security check employed by Indian consulate authorities in Australia.

Rajan was detained by Bali immigration authorities while travelling on an Indian passport issued in the name of one Mohan Kumar from Mandya, Karnataka.

It is still not clear whether Rajan had applied for a fresh passport in Australia or complained about a missing passport. It was issued by the Indian consulate on July 8, 2008, in Sydney.

According to rules, the applicant must submit his details —including the old passport number—to the consulate. The question is which passport number did Rajan quote in his application form or which passport did he submit, and how his application was verified and cleared. "How did Rajan, a wanted criminal on a red corner notice, manage to get a genuine passport? We all know how ordinary citizens are made to run around for each and every document before a passport is issued. The recovery a genuine passport obtained with fraudulent papers must, therefore, be highlighted to the public," said a senior police officer.

The CBI's interpol unit or the passport-issuing authority could lodge an FIR for cheating, impersonation, forgery and conspiracy against Rajan under the Passport Act, 1967. The case is likely to be registerd in New Delhi. IPS officer-turned-lawyer Yogesh Pratap Singh said, "It is impossible to get a passport abroad without help. A thorough investigation is needed in Rajan's case."

Now, on the other hand, an Indian citizen submits his passport application online, which is processed and sent to the CID branch for verification. It is forwarded to the local police station from where cops visit the applicant's residence. Later, the passport office summons the applicant for a personal review. The strict procedure often leads to a delay in issuing the passport.

In recent past, a city-based journalist who was issued a 'verification certificate' by the police commissioner and crime branch joint commissioner, had to make five visits to the Worli passport office.

Procedure for getting passport from Indian embassy

Applicants in Australia are required to apply for their passports through VFS Global-operated India Passport and Visa Services Centres (IPVSC)

1) How to apply

It depends on where in Australia the applicant currently resides, also known as jurisdiction. Applications can be made either in person with appointment or via the postal system

2) After submission

It can be tracked online or via SMS for current status

3) Collection of passport/document:

IPVSC provides a courier service to return the applicant's processed applications back to his or her nominated address via an overnight and secure courier service

4) Fingerprinting: It has been introduced recently. An applicant must visit the embassy for fingerprinting