Lok Sabha Question No. 4345 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-21
Subject: Suspension of Passports of Certain Individuals
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: VINOD KUMAR BOIANAPALLI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4345

TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.03.2018

## SUSPENSION OF PASSPORTS OF CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS

4345. SHRI B. VINOD KUMAR:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether   the   Government   maintains   a   list of corporate defaulters/promoters   who   seek   to   leave   the   country   to   evade indictment and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether   the   Government   has   any   rules   for   the   suspension   of passports of such persons to prevent them leaving the country;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) if not, the reasons therefore?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS [GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]

- (a) No.   The   Government   does   not   maintain   a   list   of   corporate defaulters/ promoters who seek to leave the country to evade indictment.
- (b) & (c) Passports can be suspended by the Central Government or any   designated   officer   as   per   the   provisions   of   Section   10A   of   the Passports Act 1967 (Relevant provision is attached at Annexure).   The holder whose passport has been suspended cannot leave the country on such a passport.
- (d) Does not arise. *****

## ANNEXRUE

10A. Suspension of passports or travel documents in certain cases. - (1) Without prejudice to the generality of the provisions contained in section 10, if the Central Government or any designated officer is satisfied that the passport or travel document is likely to be impounded or caused to be impounded or revoked under clause (c) of sub-section (3) of section 10 and it is necessary in the public interest so to do, it or he may -

(a) By order, suspend, with immediate effect, any passport or travel document;

(b) Pass such other appropriate order which may have the effect of rendering any passport or travel document invalid, for a period not exceeding four weeks:

Provided that the Central Government or the designated officer may, if it or he considers appropriate, extend, by order and for reasons to be recorded in writing, the said period of four weeks till the proceedings relating to variation, impounding or revocation of passport or travel document under section 10 are concluded:

Provided further that every holder of the passport or travel document, in respect of whom an order under clause (a) or clause (b) of this sub-section had been passed, shall be given an opportunity of being heard within a period of not later than eight weeks reckoned from the date of passing of such order and thereupon the Central Government may, if necessary, by order in writing, modify or revoke the order passed under this sub-section.

(2) The designated   officer   shall   immediately   communicate   the   orders   passed under sub-section (1), to the concerned authority at an airport or any other point of embarkation or immigration, and to the passport authority.

(3) Every authority referred to in sub-section (2) shall, immediately on receipt of the order passed under sub-section (1), give effect to such order.

*****