Two held on charge of forging documents

KOCHI: Two persons were arrested by the Ernakulam Town South Police on charges of forging documents like certificates, driving licence and voters identity card to present along with passport applications.

Those arrested were Padmanabhan Nair, 60, of Kakkanad, who owned Highness Travels near the Passport Office and his employee Seenath, 42, of Palluruthy.

A police team led by Circle Inspector V.G. Raveendranath searched the office and confiscated fake degree certificates purported to be issued by University of Kerala, fake driving licences, blank stamp papers issued by High Court vendor and not specifying details of buyer and blank stamp papers attested by notary.

On interrogation, the accused said that the forged documents were issued to support the passport applications and to secure placements abroad. It was also learnt that two persons from Manjeri in Malappuram and Changanassery were also involved in the process.

The blank stamp papers were used to present affidavits along with applications for passports. The police have initiated a probe on those who secured passports using fake documents given by the accused.

Both the accused were later produced before Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (Economic Offences) and remanded.