RPO, CID misled court: Iltija over issuance of ‘conditional passport

Won’t withdraw petition, have full faith in judiciary

Srinagar, Apr 07  : Iltija Mufti, the daughter of former J&K chief minister, Mehbooba Mufti, Friday alleged that the Regional Passport Officer (RPO) Srinagar and Criminal investigation Department (CID) branch of Jammu and Kashmir Police has misled the court over the issuance of her passport.

Addressing a news conference, Iltija Mufti, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that the RPO has issued a conditional passport to her. “I am being pressured to withdraw the petition by CID and Deputy Solicitor General,” she said.

The daughter of Peoples Democratic Party’s president, said, “I have been provided a conditional passport, which is UAE specific. Travelling abroad is a fundamental right of every citizen and I don’t know why I am being deprived of this facility.”

She said that she was issued a passport valid only for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and for a limited period of two years. “I will not withdraw my petition as I have full faith in the judiciary,” she said.

Pertinently, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti’s daughter Iltija Mufti was issued a passport for a period of two years. Iltija had approached the High Court of J&K and Ladakh after her passport application was denied by the passport office due to lack of clearance from the CID.

The Regional Passport Office (RPO) has written to the Additional Solicitor General, stating that Iltija, who wishes to pursue higher studies, has been granted a passport valid from April 5, 2023, to April 4, 2025—(KNO)