No delay by MEA in revoking passports of ‘certain individuals’: Govt on Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
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No delay by MEA in revoking passports of ‘certain individuals’: Govt on Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi

Press Trust of India, New Delhi | ByPress Trust of India
Apr 04, 2018 11:53 PM IST

The MEA had recently revoked passports of Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi, diamond merchants wanted for alleged banking fraud.

The government on Wednesday said there has been no delay on the part of the external affairs ministry in revoking passports of “certain individuals” who have fled the country.

Jeweller Nirav Modi poses during the launch of his store in Mumbai. The government has faced severe criticism after alleged economic offenders, including former liquor baron Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi and Choksi fled the country.(Reuters File Photo)
Jeweller Nirav Modi poses during the launch of his store in Mumbai. The government has faced severe criticism after alleged economic offenders, including former liquor baron Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi and Choksi fled the country.(Reuters File Photo)

The MEA had recently revoked passports of Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi, diamond merchants wanted for alleged banking fraud.

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The government has faced severe criticism after alleged economic offenders, including former liquor baron Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi and Choki fled the country.

Replying to a question on whether “certain individuals” have fled the country due to the delay caused by the ministry of external affairs in issuing comprehensive warnings against such people and cancelling their passports, minister of state for external affairs VK Singh replied in negative.

“There has been no delay by the MEA in revoking passports in accordance with the provisions of the Passports Act, 1967 of certain individuals who have fled the country,” Singh said in a written response to the question.

He said that in accordance with the existing instructions, Look Out Circular (LOC) can be opened by the Bureau of Immigration with respect to Indian citizens and foreigners on the request of an authorised agency.

In such cases where the LOC is opened in cognisable offences under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) or other penal laws, the immigration authorities can detain as well as prevent any such person from leaving India, Singh said.

“Passports are cancelled, impounded or revoked by the passport issuing authorities as per the provisions of the Passport Act, 1967, following which passport database gets updated. There are no technological inefficiencies in this process,” Singh said.

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