In the context of , the guidelines are explicit. The Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) advises that while a Gazetted Officer can sign the verification certificate, the relationship matters. If the officer is related to the applicant, the likelihood of rejection or further scrutiny increases significantly. The police verification report often highlights if the verifying officer is a relative, leading to complications.
Courts require attestation by a "gazetted officer not related to the parties." If a document attested by a father for his son is challenged in court, its evidentiary value would be severely weakened. The court may declare it unreliable. In the context of , the guidelines are explicit
Since 2014, the Government of India has largely replaced the need for Gazetted Officer attestation with . The police verification report often highlights if the
For example, the has issued circulars (e.g., Revenue Department Circular No. 2018) instructing Tehsildars and Deputy Collectors not to attest documents for relatives up to the third degree of relation. Since 2014, the Government of India has largely