Indian mission recalls passports

Dubai, May 3 (UNI) The Indian mission here has started recalling passports with certain serial numbers, offering to replace them free of cost.

The Indian Consulate issued a circular in this regard but did not clarify the reason.

''The Government of India has issued instructions that all Indian passports with serial numbers Z-000001 to Z-045925 are to be recalled and new passports issued in their place. These include certain passports issued by the Consulate between February and September last year,'' the Consulate said in a release.

Recent newspaper reports alleged that Indian passports went missing in transit and fell into the hands of mafia dons.

The Consulate has set up a special counter to accept the passports to be replaced and said even the delivery of the new passport by courier will be free.

Holders of these passports can also apply for fresh travel documents at all the passport offices in India, it said.

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