Kerala CM Writes To Suvendu Adhikari Regarding R Rajagopal Passport Renewal Application

Kerala Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan has written to West Bengal authorities seeking urgent intervention in the passport renewal case of senior journalist R. Rajagopal, whose application has been delayed following an adverse police verification report linked to the deletion of his name from the electoral rolls during a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.

According to officials, Rajagopal, former editor of The Telegraph, has been facing delays in the renewal of his passport after authorities flagged his case due to his name not appearing in the updated electoral rolls. The issue reportedly stemmed from the SIR process conducted by the Election Commission, which led to the removal of several names in the Ballygunge Assembly constituency in Kolkata. Rajagopal is among those who have challenged the deletion before the appropriate tribunal.

In his letter to West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, Kerala CM Satheesan stated that while the electoral matter is already under appeal, the adverse police report has directly affected the journalist’s passport renewal process. He urged the West Bengal administration to urgently look into the matter, noting Rajagopal’s long-standing professional association with Kolkata and his distinguished career in journalism spanning several decades.

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Rajagopal, who has been based in Kolkata for nearly 30 years, is the son of Professor V. Rajagopal, a respected public figure and former state secretary of the Gandhi Smarak Nidhi in Kerala. Satheesan highlighted his family’s public service background and appealed for swift resolution of the issue, emphasising the need to ensure that procedural complications do not unfairly disrupt an individual’s personal or professional life.

Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition in Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan, described the denial of passport renewal as “shocking” and alleged that it amounted to political vendetta. In his statement, Vijayan claimed that Rajagopal’s application was rejected on the grounds of his name being absent from the electoral rolls and argued that such developments raise concerns about the broader implications of the SIR process on citizens’ rights.

Vijayan further alleged that the Special Intensive Revision exercise, which reportedly led to the deletion of nearly 27 lakh names in parts of Kolkata, is being challenged by Rajagopal and others. He also pointed out that the journalist missed his daughter’s wedding in the United States due to delays in securing an appointment with passport authorities, calling attention to the human impact of administrative delays.

The case has now drawn political attention in both Kerala and West Bengal, with calls for a swift resolution as the appeal process continues. While officials maintain that verification procedures are being followed, the matter has sparked a wider debate on the intersection of electoral documentation and essential civil services such as passport issuance.

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