Passport scam case: Prosecution asked to submit sanction papers.

BS Post : 95, Date : 26.01.2014,  Place : Mumbai, By : Mohammed Chand Shaikh.

: 22 January 2014, 

KANPUR: In a twist to the passport scam case, chief metropolitan magistrate (IInd) has asked the prosecution to submit documents related to the sanction of the case against accused by January 28. The court passed the order when one of the accused, Jayant Sarkar, moved an application stating that passport authorities had asked him to join duties as passport officer through a letter dated December 31, 2013.

The prosecution had to argue on the application of the accused to discharge them in the absence of sanction, but the scene changed when Sarkar told the court that he had been asked to join duties. Countering it, prosecution counsel submitted before the court that the police had already taken steps in this regard on November 6, 2013.

Presiding judge Mahesh Kumar Gupta (Ist), who was hearing the arguments, observed that prosecution should submit all the relevant documents with the court. Sarkar was not present in the court as he was granted exemption from personal appearance following an application moved through his counsel in this regard.

The defence had concluded arguments on Monday in support of their application to discharge the accused. It had claimed that under the Passport Act prior sanction of prescribed authority was mandatory, but the prosecution had not sought sanction from the appropriate authority.

It had been already admitted in prior proceedings that sanction had not been sought. Moreover, the prosecution had to take sanction from the state as well as the Central government to prosecute officials and staff of the passport office under Section 197 of the CrPC. Therefore, in the absence of proper sanction, the case could not be tried.

The prosecution, in its earlier arguments, had stated that the accused could be tried without seeking sanction under sections 420/467/468 of the IPC as offences under IPC were different in nature from the offences of Passport Act. Sanction under the Passport Act was required and investigation officer had informed the court that the letter for sanction had been sent.

As many as 17 persons, including six passport department officials, had been arrested by the Kanpur police following a sting operation on July 5. The police had claimed that passports made by this gang, that also included 10 passport touts, were "absolutely authentic" as they were processed by insiders in the passport office. But the particulars mentioned in them were false. Although the passports made by this gang would reach their clients without any police verification, the documents nonetheless would be totally authentic, bearing all original signatures.

Mobile passport camps to resume.

BS Post : 94, Date : 06.01.2014,  Place : Mumbai, By : Mohammed Chand Shaikh.

The Regional Passport Office (RPO) Bhubaneswar has decided to resume 'mobile camps' in different parts of the state to accept passport applications from people.

The process was discontinued ever since the passport office made it mandatory to collect fingerprints of applicants since May 2012. "Since it was difficult for the mobile camp to collect finger prints from applicants, the practice was discontinued. Recently, a new device has been developed which is mobile and can take finger prints on the spot," regional passport officer Padma Mahanti told. "The device was having test run at some places in the country. We will start it here soon," Mahanti said.

Once put in place, the mobile camp will have citizen service executives, verification officers, granting officers, internet facility and various devices required for application data entry processing such as camera, document printer, scanner and fingerprint capture device.

"First, the applicants are required to submit the application form online and then print the online Application Reference Number (ARN) receipt, which must be carried along while visiting the mobile camp for submission of the passport application," Mahanti said. Sources said only 'normal' passport applications would be accepted by the mobile camp.

While applicants welcomed such hi-tech initiatives, they wonder if it would help them get passports quickly. 

Mohammed Chand Shaikh

The passport application process just got more complicated, Only nationalized bank passbook valid for passport applications.

BS Post : 93, Date : 04.01.2014,  Place : Mumbai, By : Mohammed Chand Shaikh.

MUMBAI: The passport application process just got more complicated. A fresh notification of the ministry of external affairs has stated that account statements of only nationalized banks will be considered as proof of residence for fresh passport applications as well as those made for renewals.

The MEA, in its circular, has listed 26 nationalized banks whose account statements it would accept as proof of residence. Officials said this had been done to set clear guidelines and rule out discrepancies arising in the event of applicants furnishing statements of banks not recognized by the passport-issuing authorities (PIAs).

In its circular, the ministry stated that it had received references from several PIAs and passport applicants highlighting the need for the list of banks whose passbook/statement is acceptable as address proof.

Muktesh Pardeshi, MEA joint secretary and chief passport officer, clarified that the intention was not to limit options for applicants. "Bank statement as proof of address is only one of the many options available to applicants. If they cannot furnish one, surely they can produce one of the others," he said.

List of Public sector Banks whose statements /  passbooks  

are accepted as ProofofAddress for passports

1.  Allahabad Bank

2.  Andhra Bank

3.  Bank of Baroda

4.  Bank of India

5.  Bank of Maharashtra

6.  Canara Bank

7.  Central Bank of India

8.  Corporation  Bank

9.  Dena Bank

10. Indian Bank

1 1. Indian Overseas Bank

12. Oriental Bank of Commerce

13. Punjab National Bank

14. Punjab & Sind Bank

15. Syndicate Bank

16. Union Bank of India

17. United Bank of India

18. UCO Bank

19. Vijaya Bank

20. IDBI Bank Ltd.

21. State Bank of India

22. State Bank of Bikaner & Jaipur

23. State Bank of Patiala

24. State Bank of Hyderabad

25. State Bank of Mysore

26. State Bank of Travancore

       *** *

Is CIA-link throwing up Aadhaar’s true colours?

BS Post : 92, Date : 31.12.2013,  Place : Mumbai, By : Mohammed Chand Shaikh.

The Unique Identification Authority of India's (UIDAI) agreement with a New-York based start-up MongoDB is likely to raise many eyebrows if this Economic Times report is to be believed. 

According to an ET report, MongoDB has been funded by the US’ Central Intelligence Agency. 

The firm has approached the UIDAI authorities to assist in capturing and analysing information for Aadhaar. 

MongoDB, founded in 2007, creates module that helps conduct vast databases, generally unstructured data. 

The ET report notes that the firm has lifted $231 million (Rs 1,400 crore) and some of the funding is from In-Q-Tel, a not-for-profit try collateral arm of CIA. 

However, the amount of funding from CIA has not been revealed by MongoDB. The UIDAI has reportedly entered into an agreement with MongoDB and a company’s database module is already being used for analysing a gait during that registration of new beneficiaries is holding place, reports ET. So, why should India be concerned?

Recently, Edward Snowden, a former NSA contractor-turned-whistleblower revealed that US comprehension agencies customarily intercepted communication in Europe and Asia, including in India. 

Experts say UID’s centralised pattern could poise a risk, where even a singular mistake can make a whole complement disproportionately vulnerable.

Read more at: http://www.firstpost.com/economy/is-cia-link-throwing-up-aadhaars-true-colours-1263937.html?utm_source=ref_article

Dubai to have Holy Qur’an plant park

BS Post : 91, Date : 31.12.2013,  Place : Mumbai, By : Mohammed Chand Shaikh.

The Dh27 million project in Al Khawaneej is to be completed by September next year.

Dubai will have a park that has plants and trees mentioned in the Holy Qur’an. 

The General Projects Department of Dubai Municipality has announced plans to create a Holy Qur’an Park in Al Khawaneej.

All plants mentioned in the Holy Qur’an and available in the UAE will be showcased in the 60 hectare park, such as fig, pomegranate, olive, corn, leek, garlic, onion, lentil, barley, wheat, ginger, pumpkin, watermelon, tamarind, seder, vineyards, bananas, cucumbers and basil.

“There are 54 species mentioned in the Holy Qur’an. We will have 35 of these in the park,” explained Mohammed Noor Mashroom, director of the department. 

The remaining 15 species will be grown in green houses and 20 outside.

The park will also have a tunnel which exhibits the miracles described in the Holy Quran in the form of images and audio material. 

The theme park is intended to educate the public about the Holy Qur’an and its miracles, said Mohammed. 

“These plants are expected to make visitors think about the reason for their names to appear in the Holy Qur’an. We are hoping to attract school excursions to the park,” he added.

The park will have tracks for running, cycling and sand walking besides an Umrah corner, outside theatre, fountains, desert garden, palm oasis and a lake. 

The total cost of the project is estimated at around Dh27 million as per current tenders. Initial site preparation, tracks and service buildings have been completed and work on the second stage of the project will start next month. 

The park is expected to be completed by September 2014.

Mohammed Chand Shaikh

Decision from The Regional Passport Office (RPO) Mumbai, to streamline the passport application process.

BS Post : 90, Date : 12.12.2013,  Place : Mumbai, By : Mohammed Chand Shaikh.

Applicants living in places like Aurangabad, Beed, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Daman and Dadra-Nagar Haveli, which fall under the jurisdiction of Mumbai RPO, have option of walking-in with their application number, Now, this procedure will be discontinued from December 20, 2013

The Regional Passport Office (RPO) here has decided to streamline the passport application process by making prior online appointment compulsory for the benefit of applicants from distant places.

Henceforth, all the applicants living in these areas would have to obtain prior online appointment before visiting the passport seva kendras.

As per The Regional Passport Office (RPO), after the successful introduction of online payment system, the problem of availability of appointment has been resolved and now appointment slots will be available in bulk.

Mohammed Chand Shaikh

Post offices to take passport application, regional passport office, Madurai region.

BS Post : 89 Date : 01.12.2013,  Place : Mumbai, By : Mohammed Chand Shaikh.

TNN | Nov 30, 2013, MADURAI: For those who find it difficult to pay exorbitant charges demanded by internet centres for applying passport, here comes good news. The Tamil Nadu postal circle, southern region, and regional passport office, Madurai region, have initiated a facility to help senior citizens and children below 15 years to apply for passports at post offices.

The two departments, which launched the venture, claimed that the initiative is first of its kind in the nation. To apply, minors and elderly people can simply walk into selected post offices in Madurai city. All they need to do is to fill the available application and hand it over to the officials concerned. Once the details are uploaded in the website, the customer would be given the Application Reference Number (ARN) generated after the procedures. People who want to apply for police clearance certificate can also utilise the service and it would costs only Rs 50, said passport officials. "The service has been launched in Madurai as a pilot programme. It would be available at the head post offices in Talakulam, Arasarasi and Madurai. We have plans to expand the service in other southern districts along with postal department," said S Maniswara Raja, regional passport officer, Madurai. J Charukesi, post master general, southern region, Madurai also took part in the inaugural function on Thursday.

Last year, as many as two lakh passport applications were received by Madurai regional passport office and most of the applications were from districts like Ramanathapuram and Sivagangai. Most of the applicants, who wish to work in gulf countries and who do not have internet facility, fall prey to the internet centres which charge high, passport officials said.

What happened in the Supreme Court on Tuesday as the judges heard a public interest litigation that challenged the constitutional validity of Aadhaar?

BS Post : 88 Date : 29.11.2013,  Place : Mumbai, By : Mohammed Chand Shaikh.

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court issued notices to state governments to explain their stance on making the unique identity (UID) number, Aadhaar compulsory.

Hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) that challenged the constitutional validity of Aadhaar number being issued by Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), the apex court opined that it would not want to be in a situation where a state government would later plead that they were not given an opportunity to be heard.

Shyam Divan, the counsel for Maj Gen (retd) SG Vombatkere, cited example of several States which made Aadhaar mandatory for availing of host of services. For instance, he said in Kerala and Himachal Pradesh, admissions to school required students to have Aadhaar. Maharashtra recently made Aadhaar compulsory for government employees to draw their salary and pay slips. Madhya Pradesh followed the Centre’s diktat to make Aadhaar mandatory for receiving pension and provident fund benefits in three districts while Himachal Pradesh linked the Aadhaar scheme to offer scholarships in universities.

The bench of Justices BS Chauhan and SA Bobde was initially of the view that the petitioners are only bothered by the government making UID compulsory. So, the Bench asked Divan, “If we order that it cannot make it mandatory, would you have a case?”

Divan replied that the issues are deeper and he needs time to explain the whole scheme. The Aadhaar project, the senior advocate said, was ultra vires as it did not have a statutory backing. Moreover, no statutory guidance exists on crucial questions such as—who can collect biometric information, how it is to be collected and stored, protection of collected data, who can use the data and when it must be used.

The Supreme Court then asked, “Would you have a case if Parliament passes a law giving UID legal status?” Divan replied that even if  the Constitution is amended, UID would be illegal.

Divan then took the court through the flow chart of how UID enrolments are done, the kind of  Private Companies are involved and the dangers of the scheme. He pointed out how UIDAI signed memorandum of understanding with States which had no legal sanctity. He said, State appoints registrars, who could even be a private person, who engaged private companies to collect biometric data. There is also the fear that the private party which collects the data then stores it in a personal laptop, which does not belong to the government.

The counsel for Maj Gen (retd) Vombatkere, then briefly mentioned some abuses which could be carried out using UID.

He brought out how if a password of an ATM card was compromised, the cardholder could change the password, but if one's fingerprints or iris (biometrics) are the passwords, then the person whose password is compromised has no remedy. The court wanted to know the definition of biometrics in UID and spent some time studying it.

He also told the apex court about how UID changes the relationship between the state and the citizen. Convicted criminals relinquish some privacy rights. They have their fingerprints taken for record. Here the government is treating all people as criminals. One of the judges on the bench was very interested in this line of argument and asked many probing questions.

Interestingly, neither the UIDAI nor union government have filed any counter to the PIL. They have not denied any of the allegations made in the petition by Maj Gen (retd) Vombatkere and Col (retd) Matthew Thomas.

Removed the ‪‎AngolaBansIslam‬ post from my blog

BS Post : 87 Date : 26.11.2013,  Place : Mumbai, By : Mohammed Chand Shaikh.

I have removed the ‪‎AngolaBansIslam‬ post from my blog. The authenticity of the report and the newspaper that first published it is becoming increasingly unreliable. I apologize for any misinformation. 

On understanding, parts of the claim were skewed to give a misunderstanding. The Angolan government has clarified its stance to be 'freedom of religion, regardless of religion' (in paraphrase). The part about 'islam being illegal' is only true in-the-sense that there is no national recognition of islam. This is also the case in many western countries such as France and Italy where Islam exists but is not nationally recognized. 

With all of this in mind, we ask you all to in the future be cautious and careful when reading any materials from (the first website and primary source to have published the article online. Original publication was from a Moroccan News paper).

Passports will have a new security feature 'letter screen image' (LSI).

BS Post : 86, Date : 16.11.2013,  Place : Mumbai, By : Mohammed Chand Shaikh.

The ministry of external affairs has recommended the new feature to be implemented in passports to be issued henceforth.

Now, the 'LSI' feature is a minor modification to this image. "Only passport staff and immigration officials can find out about the new feature added to the applicant's photograph." 

The first, second and last two pages of the new passport would be laminated. The applicant's photograph would appear on the second page, while other information such as address, which used to be in the last pages, would now be on page 35. The seal and signature of the authority would be on the first page.

"Nobody can tamper the image of the applicant with the new LSI feature. However, passport and immigration authorities can access the details at the time of passport verification."

"Henceforth, passport applicants, who either apply for regular or tatkal, will get passports with the new security feature,"

Mohammed Chand Shaikh.

Today marks the one-year anniversary of the death of Bal Keshav Thackeray

BS Post : 85, Date : 17.11.2013,  Place : Mumbai, By : Mohammed Chand Shaikh.

Bal Keshav Thackeray was an Indian politician who founded the Shiv Sena, a right-wing Marathi ethnocentric party active mainly in the western India's Maharashtra

Bharat Ratna, the country's highest civilian award, conferred to Sachin Tendulkar.

BS Post : 84, Date : 16.11.2013,  Place : Mumbai, By : Mohammed Chand Shaikh.

Congratulations to legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar on getting the 'Bharat Ratna' award for his contribution to Indian sports.

Dutch producer of anti-Prophet film finds tranquility in Haj.

BS Post : 83, Date : 17.10.2013,  Place : Mumbai, By : Mohammed Chand Shaikh.

The Dutchman, who produced a blasphemous film about Islam and its Prophet (peace be upon him) and who has converted to Islam about a year ago after long enmity, has said he has found peace and tranquility in the Haj. He regretted having been a part in the production of the hateful film Fitna (sedition) and said he came to the Haj to wash out his sins.

"I found my self among these faithful hearts. I hope that my tears of regret will wash out all my sins after my repentance," Arnoud Van Doorn said.

He said, as a token of atonement, he will produce a new film that will show the true essence of Islam and the correct personality of its Prophet.

Doorn, a former leading member of the extreme rightist Dutch political party, Geert Wilders' (Freedom Party) described Fitna as a totally wrong movie film which contained a lot of misleading and incorrect information that had nothing to do with the noble divine religion or its great Prophet (pbuh).

He said since he arrived in this holy land he has been living the best days of his life and hoped that he would spend the rest of his days in Madinah to which he was determined to return after the completion of his Haj rites.

"I felt ashamed standing in front of the Prophet's grave. I thought of the grave mistake which I had made by producing that sacrilegious film. I hope that Allah will forgive me and accept my repentance," he said.

Doorn said he read a lot about Islam before converting to it. He regretted his previous hostility to this great religion. —SG