The pro forma at the centre of allegations of political espionage levelled by the Congress against the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Government has remained unchanged since 1958 when it was first created for the purpose of maintaining written databases pertaining to the Capital’s citizens.
Apart from “minor, cosmetic changes made to it” in 1999, the document has been used to maintain data about VIPs from the Gandhi family to Prime Minister Narendra Modi residing in the Capital, highly placed police sources told The Hindu .
“Initially, the said pro forma had space for five passport-sized photographs. This was changed to the figure of one as per the only amendment to it,” said a police officer adding that the Delhi Police Commissioner had been asked to make further amendments to it “as soon as possible”.
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“At least the form was amended once, but the verification procedure, which is used not only for VIPs but also follows verification for the grant of a passport and similar government-issued documents, is carried out as per the rules and guidelines laid out in 1861 which remains unchanged,” another officer said.
According to the police, these were expected to be made over the coming week before being sent to the Union Home Ministry for its nod.
Sources said “most details pertaining to personal details” were expected to be struck off. Senior police officials have been entrusted with the responsibility of seeking suggestions from the force and incorporating them in the final draft, which will be sent to the Ministry.
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Inquiries made by policemen recently at Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi’s residence snowballed into a political controversy, with the party accusing the ruling BJP of spying on its leader.
After the Congress sought an answer from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Delhi Police chief B.S. Bassi explained that the information sought by the personnel, such as Mr. Gandhi’s hair and eye colour, were part of a routine profiling of all residents in security-sensitive areas and far from being mala fide.
“Not just Mr. Gandhi, we make such routine visits to the addresses of other VIPs, including the Prime Minister, the Home Minister and other protectees,” said Mr. Bassi. Soon after, senior Delhi Police officials said they would omit questions and information objected by the Congress over the coming days.
At the centre of the controversy is what police sources described as “a basic pro forma for the maintenance of a database of VIPs”. In fact, a senior officer said, it was “almost identical” to paper work that senior citizens, domestic helps and “those belonging to vulnerable groups” filled. Mr. Gandhi is understood to have “filled a similar pro forma earlier”.