Srinagar, March 30, 2023 (PPI-OT): In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, seeking dismissal of the writ petition filed by Peoples Democratic Party President, Mehbooba Mufti’s daughter, Iltija Mufti, for issuance of a passport, the Criminal Investigation Department wing of police has informed the High Court in Srinagar that her final verification report was forwarded to the department concerned last month. According to Kashmir Media Service, Iltija,35, sought the intervention of the High Court in February, wherein she stated that her passport was due to expire on January 2 and therefore she had applied for a fresh one in advance on June 8, last year.
“The Passport as per the instruction manual is expected to be dispatched within approximately 30 days…the inaction is discriminatory in nature and unconstitutional,” she said in her writ petition before the court. She said the passport is required immediately by her as she intends to apply for obtaining a master’s degree in sustainable development abroad. In his response through the counsel, the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), headquarters, CID J and K informed the court that the final passport verification report in respect of the petitioner has been forwarded to the Regional Passport Officer, Srinagar, on February 16.
“The passport Authorities as quasi-judicial authorities, decide the applications after conducting inquiry wherein reports are sought from different agencies, including Police, CID etc. The report of the CID has only an assistive and not decisive role in such instances. It is the discretion of the Passport Authority to rely or not to rely on the report of the CID based on its subjective satisfaction,” the officer said.
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