Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS be pleased to state:-

(a) whether Government has taken note that an Indian Forest Service Officer in employment of the State of Jammu and Kashmir could manage to secure a US passport after changing his name while retaining his Indian Passport;

(b) if so, whether this matter has been taken up with US government as also with the State Government concerned and their response thereto; and

(c) the action taken so far by Government against the concerned officer?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT & FORESTS
(SHRI S. REGUPATHY)

(a) Government of Jammu & Kashmir has vide letter No. FST/Ser/AA/88-I dated 14.11.2007 reported to the Ministry of Environment & Forests that one Indian Forest Service(IFS) officer of J&K cadre namely Shri Aijaz Ahmad Bhat @ Shah was arrested by the Crime Branch of J&K Police on 18th of September, 2007 and a case {FIR No. 68/2007 PS Crime Branch Kashmir} has been registered against him on the charges of possessing United States Passport and citizenship without the knowledge of Government authorities while he was holding the Indian Passport and citizenship.

(b) Government of Jammu & Kashmir has also reported that the Inspector General CID of J&K Government vide his letter No. CID/PP/B00815/Sgr-5700-01 dated 20.09.2007 brought the facts of the case to the notice of Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.
(c) Government of Jammu & Kashmir has also reported that the officer has been placed under suspension vide Government Order No. 538-FST of 2007 dated 22.10.2007 and the matter is under investigation by the Crime Branch of Jammu and Kashmir Police.