Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan has written to West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, requesting immediate intervention in the passport renewal case of former Telegraph editor R Rajagopal. According to the letter, Rajagopal’s application has reportedly been delayed following an adverse police verification report linked to his removal from the electoral roll.
In the letter dated June 29, Satheesan stated that Rajagopal’s passport renewal application was allegedly held up after Kolkata Police submitted an unfavourable verification report.
The chief minister said he had learned that the adverse report stemmed from the deletion of Rajagopal’s name during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. While noting that the electoral matter was already being pursued through the appropriate appellate process, Satheesan said the police report had resulted in delays in renewing the passport.
Seeking Adhikari’s assistance, he wrote, “Under these circumstances, I request your kind intervention and urge you to look into the matter on an urgent basis.”
The letter identifies Rajagopal as a resident of Flat 3A, 12 Dover Road, Kolkata, and includes details of his passport renewal application file.
‘A Distinguished Journalist’
Satheesan described Rajagopal as a highly respected journalist who has been living and working in Kolkata for nearly three decades.
The letter noted that Rajagopal has enjoyed a distinguished journalism career spanning more than 30 years, including his tenure as editor of The Telegraph.
The Kerala chief minister also highlighted that Rajagopal is the son of Professor V Ramadas, a former state secretary of the Gandhi Smarak Nidhi in Kerala who was widely recognised for his public service.
Satheesan enclosed Rajagopal’s contact information and appealed for swift action to resolve the issue.
Shashi Tharoor Supports the Appeal
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor expressed support for Satheesan’s intervention, arguing that cases such as Rajagopal’s deserve attention and backing from across political lines.
Sharing the chief minister’s letter on X, Tharoor said it was a constructive effort by one chief minister reaching out to another, even though the matter could be viewed as falling under the jurisdiction of the Union government.
He added that whenever a serious injustice occurs, people across the democratic spectrum should come together in support of those affected so that a fair resolution can be achieved more quickly.
Tharoor further suggested that Rajagopal’s situation was not an isolated instance.
Referring to what he described as other cases involving questionable decisions during the SIR process, he said such incidents were increasingly becoming an avoidable embarrassment for the government.
