Police verification for passports must be completed within four weeks: Allahabad HC

This is a significant and very recent ruling from the Allahabad High Court that directly addresses one of the most frustrating bottlenecks in the passport application process: the police verification delay.

Here is a detailed article summarizing the ruling and its implications for your website:

✈️ Passport Right: Allahabad High Court Mandates Police Verification Must Be Completed Within Four Weeks

In a landmark ruling, the Allahabad High Court has issued a strict directive stating that all police verification reports related to passport applications must be completed and submitted within four weeks (one month).

The court emphasized that administrative delays cannot be allowed to impede a citizen's fundamental right to travel abroad. This judgment aims to inject much-needed accountability and speed into the passport issuance process.

1. The Core Ruling: A Fixed Deadline for Police

The primary thrust of the High Court's order, delivered by a Division Bench, is to remove the ambiguity surrounding the police verification timeline.

 * The Mandate: Police authorities are strictly instructed to process all verification files pertaining to passport applications with due diligence and submit their reports within four weeks without undue delay.

 * The Rationale: The court observed that "delay in police verification... is creating a hurdle in realization of the right to travel," which is protected under the Constitution of India.

 * Reference to MEA Charter: The court cited the Ministry of External Affairs' (MEA) Citizen's Charter (June 2025), which prescribes a timeline of 30 working days for issuing an ordinary passport (excluding the police verification period). The court's order aims to close this gap by setting a clear limit for the police segment.

2. Key Directives Issued by the High Court

The ruling goes beyond just the police deadline, addressing the entire chain of command to streamline the process.

A. Directives for Regional Passport Officers (RPOs)

 * Mandatory Notification: The RPO must inform the applicant within a month of the application's submission if a passport cannot be issued due to pending verification or other reasons.

 * Swift Disposal: Once the necessary clearances, no-objections, or court sanctions (especially in cases with criminal proceedings) are obtained and submitted by the applicant, the RPO must dispose of the application within a further period of one month.

 * No Lingering: The passport office must not "linger on their matters," recognizing the potential urgency for the applicant.

B. Directives for Passport Applicants (Especially in Criminal Cases)

The court also laid out clear responsibilities for applicants facing delays due to criminal proceedings:

 * Respond to Notices: Applicants must first promptly reply to any notices received from the Passport Office regarding their application status.

 * Obtain Sanction: If the application is pending due to involvement in a criminal case, the applicant must first apply for and obtain the necessary "no objection/sanction/approval" from the concerned court or criminal law court.

3. What This Means for Passport Applicants

This is a major victory for transparency and efficiency in public service delivery.

| Previous Scenario | New Scenario (Post-HC Order) |

|---|---|

| Verification Time | Often indefinite, sometimes taking months. |

| Reason for Delay | Often opaque; RPO simply states "Verification Pending." |

| Inquiries | Applicants had little recourse against police inaction. |

Crucial Note: While the court's order directly governs the police jurisdiction under the Allahabad High Court (i.e., Uttar Pradesh), it sets a powerful, persuasive precedent that can be cited in similar cases across the country and may prompt the Ministry of External Affairs to formally amend its Citizen's Charter with a nationwide police verification timeline.

💡 Actionable Advice for Your Readers

> "If your passport police verification is delayed beyond 30 days, cite the Allahabad High Court's ruling to the concerned Police Commissioner or District Magistrate in your jurisdiction. This provides a strong legal basis to demand time-bound action, ensuring your right to travel is not unduly obstructed."

>