HANDS UP and surrender!!

[Beebop]

Can someone pls help me with this:
I previously held an Indian passport. I was naturalized in March 2006 and got my British passport in April 2006. I went to the Indian embassy in London (Aldwych) in Jan 2007 as I needed to travel to India. They issued me with a 5 year multiple visa for India and made no mention of retaining my old Indian passport and in fact one of the ladies said I should keep it as a souvenir! Since then, the OCI and PIO's have all come into effect and I would like to apply for an OCI. I now need a surrender certificate.
From what I gather I will be fined £145 for retaining my Indian passport even though I have never used it. My Indian passport expired in June 2010.
So, my question is, is there any way of avoiding this ridiculous fine? I can't believe I was even in the embassy and used my old Indian Passport for them to issue me with a visa and no one said anything to me! aaarrggghhhhhh. I seriously can't afford £145 plus £175 for an OCI!

[manoj123]

I think you will be exempted from the fine according to this point?

Penalty for retention of Indian passport for more than 3 years after acquiring foreign citizenship is not imposed on applicants who could furnish proof of having obtained visa to visit India on their first foreign passport immediately after acquiring foreign nationality or if they have already obtained OCI / PIO Cards or Visa. However, if there is a gap of more than three years between acquisition of foreign nationality and obtaining OCI / PIO Cards or Visa, then applicable penalty, if any, would have to be paid.

source http://hcilondon.in/renunciation.php

So you need to afford surrender fee of 26.20 and OCI fee of 175

[Beebop]

Hello manoj123,
you made my day. Am off to the Victoria office tomorrow. Thank you thank you thank you.

[manoj123]

if I were you, I would take a print of that page incase VFS person isn't aware of this clause.

[Beebop]

Thats a good plan batman.