Stephan Kayyar
Daijiworld Media Network - Kasargod (RJP)

Kasargod, Aug 14: The fake passport scam, which had come to light four years back in Kanhangad, has seen a new development with the crime branch releasing photos of 13 accused.

The internal security team was entrusted with the task of probing cases related to 250 passports out of which the crime branch was investigating cases concerning 30 passports.

Now the photos of the accused who are absconding have been released.

Mohammed Qasim from Mulleria and Badruddin from Arangady, Kanhangad have been identified. Mohammed Qasim is said to have been carrying a passport in the name of Ahmed from Padannakkad and is presently living in Saudi Arabia.

Badruddin and Rafiq had obtained passports by giving false addresses of Kolavayal and Arangady. Rafiq presently lives in Doha, Qatar. Badruddin was arrested earlier by Hosadurga police but later he managed to secure bail. Police had managed to get information on them after showing their photographs to many people in various places. The police, for this purpose, had depended on the photos given during the application of the passport.

The investigation team had visited the passport office at Kozhikode for more details. They came to know that fake addresses were given to get the passports. It was proved that some police, passport office personnel and persons from agency were involved in the scam. Accordingly, two police personnel were suspended from work.

Fake documents related to addresses, qualifications and other records were created. It was revealed that big mafia was involved in the scam. Passports were issued without verification of applications. People from outside Kerala were also issued passports, it was revealed during the investigations.

As the mafia received good support from others, fake passports were issued. Though it is years since the scam came to light, the real kingpins are yet to be identified.