Overview

• V. K. Bhalerao, a 51-year-old man from Pune, was caught by immigration authorities for tearing pages from his passport to hide previous trips to Bangkok from his family.
• This is the latest in a series of similar incidents, following cases involving Tushar Pawar in July 2024 and a student in August 2024, both of whom altered their passports to conceal travel histories.
• Tampering with passports is a criminal offense under the Passports Act, 1967, carrying penalties of up to two years in jail, a fine of ₹5,000, or both.
• Authorities continue to encounter such cases, raising concerns about personal accountability and the effectiveness of passport security measures.
• The incidents reflect cultural and personal pressures that drive individuals to conceal international travel from their families, despite significant legal risks.