With a recent fake passport racket discovered in Kolkata, West Bengal DGP Rajeev Kumar has advocated a new stringent passport issuance process. Eight people have been arrested so far, and several frailties have been identified. The police have presented new measures for identity cheques to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
This article explains the features of the given scam, the loophole in the present system, and the precautions suggested to stop such fraud.
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What Is The Fake Passport Scam In Bengal?
The fraud included manufacturing passports from fake documents as well as through the use of computer programs. The following points will help you to understand it in detail:-
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Kolkata Police while conducting a search operation seized fake passports being produced in a certain factory.
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Eight people have been arrested so far including the kingpin of the racket and a travel agent hailing from North 24 Parganas district.
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Police arrested fake official documents, computers and hard disc equipment which they used in the scams.
What Are The Vulnerabilities In the Current Passport System?
The present procedure does not include the police and lacks adequate checks for the people concerned. Read the following points for better understanding.
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Police do not corroborate applicants’ identity, address or signature except where the registry requests a second confirmation.
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Passport seva kendras deal with documentation in this and do not allow local police or senior officers much say.
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Purchases made through post offices have also exacerbated fears of misuse of passports.
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What Proposals Has The West Bengal DGP Made To Strengthen The System?
There has been a suggestion by the DGP to increase the scope of policemen in the exercise of verification.
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Recommended that only the DIB and senior officers should have a greater role than the present involvement of local police stations.
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It is suggested that the recommended superintendents of police (SPs) take personal responsibility of confirmation, to warrant the validity.
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Prompted agency officials such as DIB and passport offices to work together to minimise risks.
What Actions Have Been Taken So Far?
Kolkata Police has already moved to act against the racket.
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They arrested eight people, including the alleged leader.
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Some of the main smart and electronic evidence, such as fake certificates, laptops, and disc drives, have been seized.
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Negotiations have been done through a letter to the MEA expressing the software problems and requesting system changes.
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Conclusion
It is also important to consider that the case of a fake passport scam in Bengal has completely exposed the shortcomings of the current verification mechanism. Greater coordination with other agencies, and more engagement of the police, thus having a stronger mechanism against its abuse. Such action will protect the credibility of the passport issuance system, thus guaranteeing safety for the citizens.
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