The Maharashtra state government has taken a proactive step to enhance passport verification by instructing police officials to visit the applicant’s home, “if necessary,” as part of the address verification process.
The primary objective of this order is to thwart the efforts of illegal immigrants and individuals with anti-national intentions who may seek Indian passports. The government’s decision is prompted by concerns raised by central agencies about organized groups involved in producing counterfeit Aadhaar and PAN cards for illegal foreign immigrants. These groups exploit residential addresses in northeastern states.
To further complicate matters, these foreign nationals often utilize the ‘Tatkal Passport’ service and wield influence over police decisions with the assistance of local authorities. These illicit operations are suspected of providing fake Aadhaar cards to illegal immigrants and individuals with anti-national agendas, posing a threat to the nation’s internal security.