Senior CPO suspended for involvement in issuing passports using fake documents

The city police on Saturday suspended a police officer for his alleged involvement in the issuance of fake passports.

Senior civilian police officer Anzil Mohammed, attached to Thumba police, was suspended pending investigation after a preliminary probe reportedly revealed evidence of his role in the misconduct.

The action came a day after two Kollam residents were arrested for allegedly submitting fake documents to obtain passports.

Mr Mohammed was apparently involved in the alleged fraud after police stepped up surveillance following a rise in such cases. He is believed to have helped several people obtain passports using fake or incomplete documents.

Official sources said investigations are underway to determine whether Mr Mohammed received any financial benefits for his involvement in the crime. Such findings could ultimately lead to the officer’s arrest.

Meanwhile, Thumba police arrested two more persons on Saturday for a similar offence. Sunil Kumar, 60, of Varkala, and Edward, 62, of Vattappara, were arrested for allegedly submitting fake documents to the passport office to obtain passports. The documents were found to be fake after they were forwarded for police verification.