What is the procedure for police verification in Chennai for passport application?

Detailed Legal Analysis

The procedure for police verification in Chennai for a passport application involves several systematic steps to ensure the applicant's background is thoroughly checked. This process is governed by the Passport Act of 1967 and the Passport Rules of 1980.

Here are the key steps involved in the police verification process:

• Application Submission: The applicant must first submit the passport application online or at the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK). Ensure that all required documents are uploaded or submitted in person.
• Fee Payment: The applicant is required to pay the applicable passport fee, which varies based on the type of passport (normal or tatkal) and the service required.
• Appointment Scheduling: After the application submission, the applicant must schedule an appointment at the nearest PSK for biometric data collection and document verification.
• Biometric Enrollment: On the scheduled date, the applicant must visit the PSK for biometric enrollment, where fingerprints, photographs, and other details are collected.
• Police Verification Request: Post biometric enrollment, the Regional Passport Office (RPO) forwards the application for police verification to the local police station in the applicant’s jurisdiction.
• Local Police Verification: The local police will conduct a verification process, which includes:
• Visiting the applicant's residence.
• Interviewing the applicant and neighbors to ascertain the applicant’s background.
• Checking the applicant's criminal record through the police database.
• Verification Report: Once the verification is complete, the police will submit a report back to the RPO. This report can be either favorable or unfavorable.
• Passport Issuance: Based on the police verification report, the RPO will either issue the passport or reject the application. In case of rejection, the applicant will be informed of the reasons.

It's important for applicants to ensure that all provided information is accurate and complete to avoid delays in the verification process. The police verification is a crucial step as per Section 6 of the Passport Act, which mandates that the government must ensure the applicant's identity and background are verified before issuance of a passport.

Lastly, applicants can track the status of their police verification through the Passport Seva website or via SMS updates provided by the service.