Days after a row erupted over issuance of passport to an interfaith couple in Lucknow, sources insist that Ministry of External Affairs followed due protocol in the case.
An internal investigation into the case was set up after accusations against passport official Vikas Misra levelled by Tanvi Seth and her husband Anas Siddiqui led to his transfer to Gorakhpur.
The couple had alleged harassment by the official who reportedly asked them for their marriage document the ‘Nikahnama’.
“As per passport rules, a marriage certificate is not a needed document for application. Other documents produced in this case were consistent with requirement for passport issuance,” said an official source.
The controversy led to unleashing of an entire troll army and severe verbal abuse on social media against External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who was accused of minority appeasement.
Amid deafening silence from party and Cabinet colleagues for days, Swaraj on her own fought the trolls who demanded reinstatement of Mishra to Lucknow passport office.
“It does appear that Vikas Mishra overstepped the bound of duty and he remains posted in Gorakhpur. But he is not suspended. Transfers are a routine affair,” added the official.
Officials also clarified that controversies surrounding the couple’s listed residential address in Lucknow during passport verification were unfounded as an adverse police report is issued only if there is a proven criminal record or questions about an individual’s citizenship.
