One of the accused in the Borivali double murder case of 2003,convicted of conspiracy and robbery and released in 2008,cannot join his new job in a foreign firm because he cannot have his passport back. Wilfred Dias,25,of Malad has got a job with a construction company in Qatar. His application for a passport has been rejected; a section in the Passport Act denies a passport to anyone sentenced to over two years in the preceding five years. On November 19,2003,college students Ashish Waravale and Clint Fernandes,along with two other teenagers,allegedly murdered Leticia Mendes (54) and hanged her 16-month-old grandson. A sessions court awarded death to Ashish and Clint,while the two teenagers faced trial in juvenile court. The HC confirmed the sentences in August 2006. Dias,just 19 when the murder took place,was acquitted of murder but held guilty of robbery. He was released in 2008 after serving five years including remissions. In his petition,Dias says that it was his sheer misfortune that he got involved,that he is from a very good family,and that since release he has been leading an utmost peaceful,decent and dignified life with no concern with any crime. He says he had tried for a job in India,but failed because he admitted his conviction. The Qatar firm has offered him a post of junior safety officer,which Dias calls a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of a good job abroad. As per the rule,he will have to wait till November 2010 to apply for a passport. Dias feels the rule is a violation of constitutional rights; he says even persons charged with much more serious crimes can apply for a passport if they have filed an appeal and are out on bail. His application,sent to the Chief Passport Officer in New Delhi for consideration,was rejected in January. The High Court last year issued a notice to the Attorney General of India. The case will come up for hearing on Tuesday.
