Acting on the complaint lodged by ex-MLC Mitesh Bhangadiya, passport of Maharashtra Minister of Relief and Rehabilitation, OBC, VJNT, Khar Lands Vijay Wadettiwar has been impounded. Bhangadiya had complained that Wadettiwar had hidden the information regarding criminal offences against him. Bhangadiya had knocked the doors of Court also. While applying for the passport, the person concerned has to provide every single information including the criminal offences registered against him or her if any. Since no action was taken on the complaint, Bhangadiya approached Court. In his plea, Bhangadiya had pointed out that Wadettiwar had procured passport in 2007 illegally and it should be impounded.

 

On the plea by Bhangadiya, Nagpur Bench of Bombay High Court had issued a notice to State Home Department, Nagpur office of Commissioner of Police, Passport officers of Nagpur and Mumbai and Wadettiwar. High Court had asked all the respondents to file reply. All the departments swung into action. Passport Department checked all the documents and found substance in the complaint. Nagpur passport office, in its letter submitted to Court said, ‘The passport of Vijay Wadettiwar is impounded by this office on December 18, 2020 under Section 10 (3) (e), ‘Criminal case is pending before the Court’ of the Passports Act, 1967.

 

Vijay Wadettiwar was present personally at Nagpur Passport office on December 21, 2020 and surrendered his passport which is kept in safe custody of Passport office. The office refer the case to the police authority of Nagpur and Gadchiroli along with court copies for the re-verification. Wadettiwar while defending himself argued that he had surrendered his passport and the documents were being verified by officials. He also claimed no case was pending against him. He further pointed out that he had some political cases in 2012. “Now there is no offence against me. I have surrendered my passport. There is no question of my passport being seized as being circulated by many. My passport has been gone for verification and I think, I will get it back in few days,” said Wadettiwar.