CHENNAI: The Madras high court has suggested the central government to bring in appropriate amendments in the Passport Rules, so that banks and financial institutions can demand surrender of passports from those availing loans and prevent defaulters from fleeing the country."It is suggested that in order to prevent defaulters from fleeing away from justice and migrating to an alien country, the government is expected to modify rules regarding surrender of passport of the person availing loan, to the concerned institution, so that the person cannot travel abroad without the knowledge of such financial institution. It can also be made clear that till the loan is cleared, passport will not be handed over and in case of failure passport may be temporarily cancelled. Passport Act and Rules can also be amended to the effect that in case of renewal of passport necessary endorsement should be obtained from banks or suitable orders should be obtained from the jurisdictional court or appropriate forum," Justice S Vaidyanathan said.The judge suggested this while dismissing a plea moved by S Mangalam, a suspended anganwadi worker seeking a direction to the authorities to re-instate her in service.When the plea came up for hearing, the government advocate informed the court that the petitioner was suspended from service as she was not present in the anganwadi during a surprise inspection and found to be cooking food meant for children in a cowshed.Later, during the course of hearing, it also came to light that the petitioner had travelled to Singapore without informing or obtaining prior permission from the department, that too on her relative's passport.Appalled by her act, the court censured her for wilful dereliction of duty, and for superseding facts to the court."Since it is a clear case of abuse of the process of the court by the petitioner in attempting to hoodwink the court, severe punishment of imprisonment of not less than two months could be ordered. However, taking note of the fact that the petitioner is a lady, this court directs the jurisdictional police concerned to arrest her and remand her in judicial custody to undergo simple imprisonment for one week," the court directed.“This apart, ration card, if any given by the government to the petitioner and her relative, who parted with the passport to the petitioner, shall be immediately withdrawn and she shall not be permitted to avail any benefit from the state... but at the same time, there is no impediment for the family members of the petitioner and her relative to avail the benefits from the government,” Justice Vaidyanathan said.