(a) whether Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered any case against
any Passport Officer in connection with human trafficking;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether any special powers have been given to Passport Officers to issue new
passports in lieu of forged passports; and
(d) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRIMATI PRENEET KAUR)
(a) Yes.
(b) The CBI conducted surprise checks in several Passport Offices across the country in
the month of June, 2013. However, no case has been registered against any Passport Officer
in connection with human trafficking.
(c) & (d) As per provisions of the Passports Act, 1967 and the Passport Rules, 1980,
all Passport Issuing Authorities (PIAs) have been authorized to issue, refuse, impound and
revoke Passports. Within these powers, all Passport Issuing Authorities issue new Passports
and reissue Passports in lieu of expired, lost, damaged, revoked, tampered and forged Passports
as the case may be. No separate special powers exist with Passport Officers for the issue of
new Passports specifically in lieu of forged Passports.