Kolkata: Beginning Thursday, Kolkata Police has shifted passport verification entirely to the Security Control Organisation (SCO) to clear nearly 42,000 pending applications. Lalbazar has directed police stations to clear pending cases within two months. The move follows approval of a proposal by the Intelligence wing (Special Branch).“Lalbazar has plans to set up a SCO desk at each police station. However, much of the work will be completed centrally,” explained an officer. The backlog has grown amid tightened verification procedures following the unearthing of a fake passport racket.
