Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday said that an incomplete passport application was received from hardline Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani.
It also said that fees was not paid and that biometric details and photographs were not submitted.
The MEA added that Geelani's application could not be processed in its present form, as per ANI.
Earlier, amid a row over hardline Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani's plea for passport, the Union Home Ministry today had said that the request would be processed on 'merit' as the travel document is the 'right of every Indian citizen'.
Sources had said that the Ministries of Home Affairs and External Affairs would take a decision on the issue in consultation with Jammu and Kashmir only after Geelani visits the nearest passport office for biometrics.
And Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, meanwhile, had said Geelani would have to write 'Indian' in the nationality column to apply for the passport.
"Passport is the right of every Indian citizen and is issued by the Ministry of External Affairs after following due process. In case any applicant applies for the passport, he should fulfil all the formalities before his case is processed. As and when the matter is referred to the Ministry of Home Affairs, we will process the case on merit," a Home Ministry spokesperson had said, as per PTI.
Jammu and Kashmir's ruling coalition partners PDP and BJP had been sharply divided over the Geelani passport issue.
PDP had said it would approach the Centre for giving passport to Geelani on "humanitarian" grounds while BJP had said that he should not be given the travel document till he "apologises" for his anti-national activities.
Sources had said Geelani and his family members wanted to travel to Jeddah and had applied for passports online.
As per the new rules, an applicant must visit the passport office in person to give biometric details and click the photograph.
Sources said after Geelani visits the passport office to complete the formalities, his application will be sent to the Ministries of Home and External Affairs for their comments as he falls in 'prior security clearance' category for issuing of a passport.
The Ministries, then, in consultation with the Jammu and Kashmir government, would take a final decision on granting the passport to him.
PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti had said that the Centre should give passport to Geelani on "humanitarian" ground so that he could travel abroad to meet his ailing daughter.
On the other hand BJP had claimed that both the parties were on the same page on the matter.
Asked about the stand of its ally PDP, BJP state president and Jammu MP Jugal Kishore Sharma had told reporters in Jammu today, "There is no difference on the issue. We are on the same page on the issue."
He had added that the BJP had not softened its stand on anti-national activities and whosoever was found indulging in anti-national activities would be dealt with strictly.
(With Agency inputs)
