IG issues helpline number to lodge graft complaints

LUCKNOW : Cops and LIU personnel will no longer be able to take bribe from passport-seekers.

IG zone, Lucknow, A Satish Ganesh issued a WhatsApp helpline number- 7839865917- on Thursday for the general public on which they can lodge a complaint if any cop or LIU personnel demands bribe in lieu of expediting the process of passport verification.

Pictures of the bribe-seeker can also be sent on it.

“Of late, there have been several complaints of bribe being demanded from passport seekers. A helpline number has been issued on which people can lodge complaints if any cop or LIU personnel demands bribe,” Ganesh said. The IG also advised people to click pictures of such cops or LIU personnel and send them on the WhatsApp number.

“Stern action will be taken against those demanding bribe for passport verification,” said the IG.

It is a common complaint in the state capital that people making rounds of the passport office are often fleeced by touts. These touts work in connivance with some staff members of the regional passport office.

On Thursday, the IG zone presided over a review meeting of the LIU incharges of all districts under Lucknow zone.

During the meeting, Ganesh issued stern warning to the LIU personnel against any laxity in carrying out investigations.

At the meeting, the IG also found gross laxity in conduct of Lucknow and Hardoi offices of the LIU. The IG issued a warning to LIU incharges of these two districts and directed them to complete all pending investigations.

The IG also instructed LIU personnel to personally carry out on spot verification of foreign nationals visiting their respective districts.

Ganesh also issued an instruction to all district police chiefs to inspect LIU offices in their respective districts.

Recently, the ATS busted a racket of touts involved in facilitating fake stamp of ‘emigration check not required’ (ECNR) on passports.

The ECNR stamp on a passport helps a person bag job offer in some select countries, including Bahrain, Brunei, Kuwait, Jordan, Libya, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia and UAE. Sudhakar Rastogi, assistant passport officer, was also arrested.

Of late, there have been several complaints of bribe being demanded from passport seekers. A helpline number has been issued on which people can lodge complaints if any cop or LIU personnel demands bribe A SATISH GANESH , IG zone