6 held in stamp paper scam

Another major stamp paper scam has come to light with the Muvattupuzha police on Monday arresting six persons for circulating fake stamp papers for various business and land dealings.

The accused got the fake stamp papers with the assistance of the officials in the Registration Department in Palakkad. The arrested have been identified as Khader,  48, of Pezhaykappilli, his son Sanil, 25, Ravi, 62, of Kinassery in Palakkad, Santhosh, 40, of Kuruppumpady, Hassainar, 58, of Vengola and Kamal of Perumbavoor.

The six were arrested on the basis of a complaint lodged by Jameela of Pallithazham, the sister of first accused Khader, with the Muvattupuzha police.

Khader had made attempts to take over the land owned by Jameela using fake stamp papers.  During the investigation, the police came to know that Khader got the fake stamp paper from the gang led by Ravi, Santhosh, Hassainar and Kamal.The gang has been operational across the state making several high-value transactions using the fake stamp papers.

Over 100 fake stamp papers each were seized  from Ravi, Santhosh, Hassainar and Kamal.

“The stamp papers were issued by the Registration Department without the requisite  date and seal of the issuing officers. The gang used to forge the official seals in a bid to make the stamp papers look authentic. A sum of `1,000 was charged for a stamp paper and several land and business dealings were subsequently made. The rates varied according to the value of deals made using the fake stamp papers. The same gang had issued a fake stamp paper to Khader stating that Jameela had  handed over her land to him,” said Famous Varghese, Muvattupuzha CI.

During the interrogation, the accused  confessed to the police that they have forged several driving licences, RC books and sales  tax certificates in the past.

The police officials believe that the gang has a wider network. Police will soon nab the accused officials in the Registration Department for supplying the fake stamp papers. The arrested persons were produced before the Muvattupuzha Judicial First Class Magistrate and were remanded in judicial custody.