Passport row: Geelani's application can't be processed in its present form, says MEA

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday said that an incomplete passport application was received from Hurriyat hardliner Syed Ali Shah Geelani, adding that the application cannot be processed in its present form.

MEA official spokesperson Vikas Swarup took to Twitter to share the information.

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"On the queries raised about Mr. Geelani's passport: We have seen media reports of Mr. Syed Ali Geelani's passport application. An incomplete passport application was received from him. Fees were not paid and the biometric details and photographs not submitted. The application cannot be processed in its present form," he said.

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Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) Jitendra Singh had earlier said that if Geelani is granted permission to go abroad, he will have to follow the procedure like every other individual.

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"Even if permission to go abroad is given, the process will be similar to what everyone is put through. Law is clear on the provisions to be made on humanitarian grounds," Singh told ANI.

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Geelani has applied for an Indian passport to go to Saudi Arabia and visit his ailing daughter.

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Earlier this week, Geelani's wife and son completed biometrics at the Regional Passport Office (RPO) in Srinagar after they had applied online for their passports.