In News

• After allegations of sexual abuse against Janata Dal (Secular) MP Prajwal Revanna came to light, he fled to Germany using a diplomatic passport.

Diplomatic passports

• Diplomatic passports are issued to individuals representing a country on official diplomatic missions or government business.
• They are used by diplomats, government officials, and sometimes their immediate family members.
• These passports are a form of identification and carry certain legal privileges and immunities under international law, such as immunity from arrest, detention, and certain legal proceedings in the host country.
• Eligibility: In India, the Ministry of External Affairs' Consular, Passport & Visa Division issues diplomatic passports, also known as 'Type D' passports, to individuals falling into several categories.
• Government-appointed individuals and officers working under branches A and B of the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) traveling abroad for official business
• Select individuals on official travel, including union ministers and Members of Parliament (MPs).
• Revoking Power- The authority to revoke a diplomatic passport lies with the passport authority. However, the government can revoke a diplomatic passport only after a court order to that effect.

Passport Act

• Under the Passport Act of 1967, a diplomatic passport may be revoked if the holder is in wrongful possession, obtained it through suppression of material information, if the passport authority deems it necessary for India's interests, or if the holder has been convicted or is facing criminal proceedings in India.
• International Law Covering Diplomatic Passports- Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations: This convention outlines the rules for diplomatic law, including the privileges and immunities of diplomatic passport holders.
• Operational Visa Exemption Agreements: It allows diplomatic passport holders to visit these countries without a visa for stays up to 90 days, provided their travel is not for private purposes.
• India has operational visa exemption agreements with 34 countries, including Germany, for holders of diplomatic passports.

India has four types of passports, each with a different color and purpose:

• Ordinary passport: Also known as a Type P passport, this navy blue passport is for private travel, such as for study, business, or vacation.
• White passport: This passport is for government officials representing India on official business, including members of the Indian Armed Forces stationed abroad.
• Diplomatic passport: This maroon passport is for high-profile government officials, diplomats, members of Parliament, and their dependants.
• Orange passport: This passport is for people who require emigration checks.
• The blue passport is the most common type and is issued for ordinary travel purposes.

Source- Indian Express