Last Update: April 07, 2023, 7:41 PM IST
Iltija also criticized the government for allegedly invoking UAPA against the youth in the Kashmir Valley. (Photo: News18)
Criticizing the CID department of Jammu and Kashmir Police, Iltija Mufti said that the officers have misled the court.
Iltija Mufti, daughter of former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, hit out at the Center for issuing her a ‘conditional’ passport, which only allows her to travel to the UAE and is valid only for two years.
His comments came a day after CNN-News18 reported that a document sent by the Special DG Police to the Regional Passport Officer, Srinagar, said a passport could not be issued in his favour, citing a letter is classified as “Top Secret”. Under the provision of Official Secrets Act.
Later, the Regional Passport Office issued him a two-year passport restricted to travel only to the United Arab Emirates.
Criticizing the CID department of Jammu and Kashmir Police, Iltija Mufti told CNN-News18 in an exclusive interaction after her press conference in Srinagar that the court has been misled by the officers.
“I believe they misled the court before the hearing, they had given me the passport. They knew the court would reprimand them to avoid it, so they issued a conditional passport,” Iltija said. Which is valid for two years and is for UAE only.
As a citizen of India, he said that he should get his due rights and the right to passport is a fundamental right.
Accusing the CID of harassing Kashmiris and criminalizing passports, she said, “The right to passport is not a luxury given to me because I am the daughter of former J&K CM, I am entitled to it because It is a fundamental right.”
“Has the Ministry of External Affairs bothered to ask him whether there is any FIR or charge sheet against me? You have decided to invoke the Official Secrets Act. Am I a terrorist? Have I committed money laundering? Why am I being denied passport?” she questioned.
Iltija slammed the government for allegedly invoking UAPA against youths in the Kashmir Valley, highlighting the arrest of journalist Irfan Meraj who worked with a human rights advocate and was arrested by the NIA in a terror funding case.
She alleged that she was being targeted for being the daughter of a former chief minister.
“My family is one of the many families that are being targeted. My family is in limelight because my mother has been in politics.
Iltija now plans to pursue her legal battle for a normal passport.
In a letter written by the Passport Officer Srinagar to the Deputy Solicitor General, J&K and Ladakh High Court, which was accessed by News18, the CID verification report was initiated, which was sent by the Special DG Police , which is classified as “Top Secret” under the provision. As per the contents of the Official Secret Act and the classified document, it does not favor the issuance of passport to the petitioner.
Kashmir’s Regional Passport Officer Davinder Singh later told News18 that the two-year passport has been given on the basis of intelligence reports.
“We have given her a passport which is valid for two years so that she can pursue higher studies. The passport is issued only for the UAE,” he said.
“In her application, Iltija had mentioned that she wants to pursue higher studies as her master’s degree is for two years, we have issued passport only for the duration,” Davinder said.
Iltija had filed a writ petition after she was allegedly denied a passport. She had accused the office of the ADGP, CID, of not clearing her police verification for more than six months and deliberately denying her a passport.
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