- I Paid A Bribe
- 14 years ago
- 4529 views
Police verification for passport reissue pending for long time
- Police
- Police Verification for Passport
- Paid INR 450
I belong to Indore and working in Bangalore for last 2+ years. My passport expired in March 2010 and I submitted the application for reissuance through a travel agent.
Agent gave me a file number through which I could track the progress made. Online status I saw was 'Police verification report not received please contact your nearest police station'
Well, I went to the nearest police station (HSR layout sector 1) and asked about my application. The police officer told that you stay in sector 6, which doesn't fall under jurisdiction of this police station. Your file should be at Madiwala PS. So, I paid 100 to get my file/application and reached Madiwala.
At Madiwala, officer asked me how am I carrying the file, as per his knowledge, a passport application after being recieved by passport office becomes govt. property. He asked me what did I do to get the file, whether I bribed or I used influence.
I said I did none, I just walked to HSR PS and asked for my file and they handed me over. Well, this guy took my file and asked for 'verification charges' I said how much, he sais whatever.. I had Rs.150 which I gave.. he looked disappointed.. as he saw US and Singapore visas on my passport.. for him Rs.150 was wat.. just $3... he told me that they expect at least Rs.300 for verification..
Finally, I told thats all I have and walked out.. 5-6 weeks passed, online status still read the same.. so I went to Madiwala PS again and met the same guy.. he smiled and asked me what happened? I told still verification has not been done... after some discussion, I paid Rs.200 and asked if he can get it done soon..
Another 2 weeks passed, but this time I took a different route.. I downloaded RTI (right to information) form and sent it to Chief Info officer at RPO Bangalore.
In 10 days, I saw the online status change to PV report recieved and your file is in line for further process... after 6-7 days, I got the passport...
So, I am not sure what exactly worked in my case, Bribe or RTI. But let me tell you, I did get a proper professional response from Passport office regarding my RTI query.. so I have doubt that it was indeed the RTI that worked and not the bribe..