Chennai: A policeman's unholy nexus with a fake passport gang was busted after he was arrested on Tuesday. K. Murugan (50), head constable attached to the intelligence wing of the Chintadripet police, was arrested by his counterparts in the Central Crime Branch (CCB) after sustained investigations proved his involvement in obtaining fake passports to 15 persons.
Police sources said that Murugan's involvement came under the scanner following the arrest of the racket's kingpin, Ramalingam. Ramalingam functioned out of an office on Pallapan street in Triplicane and was helping clients get passports using forged documents.
"At his office, we secured several passports that are to be distributed to his other clients," an investigating officer said. Ramalingam had used forged identity records like pan card, ration card and the head constable had helped him get details for the same using records of real persons registered in Chintadripet police station, police said.
"Further, Murugan who was bestowed with the passport verification process, would never turn up at the applicant's residence and would summon them to the police station, all the while knowing that the passport was got using forged documents," a police officer said.
The incident came to light after a passenger was detained in Sri Lanka, found to be in possession with a fake passport and the chain of events led officials to Ramalingam and subsequently to the policeman.
Murugan has been with the intelligence wing since 2010 and was attached to the Chintadripet police for the past six months. "In this time period alone, he had helped about 15 applicants to get passports," the official added. Police sources added that more personnel from the intelligence wing are under the scanner of CCB.
