Srinagar, Apr 13: Even participating in R-Day parade, defense activities and Prime Minister’s rally in New Delhi last year could not guarantee him a passport. Reason- he is son of an alleged former militant.
 Suhail Samad, a student of BSc 1st year in Gandhi Memorial College Srinagar, was chosen no less than by Director General of National Cadet Corps for advance training abroad. However, the authorities have so far denied him the travel document on the grounds that his father is a former militant.
 Documents lying with Greater Kashmir reveal that Samad has successfully completed a course of Indian Air Force at Paratroopers Training School Agra in 2010. He was awarded second position by Director General of NCC in All India National Cadet Corps Cancer Awareness competition in New Delhi.
 Samad had also represented his Directorate of NCC at Annual NCC Republic Day parade camp and the Prime Minister’s rally held at New Delhi from Jan 1 to Jan 29, 2010. Samad has passed certificate “B” examination in 2010 under the Ministry of Defence, Government of India.
 Despite receiving certificates and appreciations from Defence Ministry, Samad has been denied passport clearance by the state Government.
 Samad said he participated in number of other training programmes and events organised by NCC but still the “stigma” of being the son of a “former militant” had not gone yet.
 Samad said he was short-listed by NCC for obtaining advance training in a foreign country. “This is a golden opportunity for me. It will enable me to polish my skills for becoming the most skilful cadet,” he said. However, Samad said, the authorities here were not issuing him passport.
 Samad said he applied for passport before the Passport Authority but was granted a passport under Tatkal Scheme valid for one year from March 25, 2010 to March 24, 2011, which stands expired. “Now they are denying me a fresh passport,” he said.
 Samad said his father was apprehended by the security forces and detained under Public Safety Act on June 11, 1996. “But, his (father’s) PSA was quashed on October 7, 1997 and later he was released,” he said.
 He said his father was never connected with any kind of subversive activity and after his release he never indulged in any kind of activity prejudice to the security of the State.
 After moving from pillar to post, Samad finally filed a writ petition through Advocate Mir Shafaqat Hussain before the High Court seeking issuance of passport.
 Shafaqat pleaded before the court that his client could not be denied passport on the ground that his father was allegedly involved in subversive activity. “My client throughout his life has remained a brilliant student and a good cadet participating in a number of courses organized by NCC,” Shafaqat said.
 Samad has no criminal case or FIR registered against him and neither there was any trial pending against him in any court of law, Shafaqat said.
 Shafaqat pleaded that passport could not be denied to his client and sought direction to Government for issuance of passport to his client.
 Shafaqat said if there was adverse report of the police against his client’s father, this could not be the ground for denying him passport.
 He said Samad was already issued passport for one year and he had not violated any condition of the Passport Act. “In case passport is not issued to my client, his career in NCC will get jeopardized,” Shafaqat said.
 Shafaqat pleaded that passport is the fundamental right of every citizen and denial of passport to Samad was unconstitutional.
 After hearing the submissions, court issued notice to state Government to file objections within two weeks.
 “We will provide him the passport. Send him to my office,” Inspector General of Police, CID, Dr B N Srinivasan said.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 13 Apr 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 13 Apr 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 14 Apr 2011 00:00:00 IST