To prevent defaulting promoters and fraudsters like Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi from fleeing the country, an inter-ministerial panel has submitted recommendations to the Home Ministry suggesting tightening of the Passport law.
The home ministry had constituted a panel to look into the issue of Indian passport holders obtaining duel citizenship as has been the case of Choksi, reported PTI.
The panel subsequently formed a sub-group under Financial Services Secretary Rajiv Kumar to look at the misuse of Indian Passport and duel citizenship issue, the report said.
After thorough examination, the panel headed by the Secretary suggested amendment in the Passport Act to deal with the wilful defaulters and fraudsters fleeing the country, sources reportedly said.
These recommendations assume significance in view of reports of fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi moving to Antigua, an island nation in the West Indies, from the US and getting a local passport of the Caribbean country, the report highlighted.
Choksi, involved in over $2 billion scam in Punjab National Bank, is believed to have acquired the citizenship of Antigua last year, it added.
There are cases wherein an individual may be in possession of passport of two countries, sources reportedly said, adding, it becomes very difficult for authorities in India to deal with them.
Various suggestions were given including renunciation of Indian citizenship.
Other members of the high-level panel include representatives from Enforcement Directorate, Central Bureau of Investigation, Intelligence Bureau, and Reserve Bank of India.
Besides, senior officials of the home ministry and ministry of external affairs are part of the committee, the PTI report said.
Soon after the emergence of the PNB fraud and perpetrator Modi and his uncle Choksi fleeing the country, the Finance Ministry asked public sector banks (PSBs) to collect passport details of all those borrowers who have borrowed loans of more than Rs 50 crore, it added.