Three Lankans held with fake passports in India

During surprise checks at lodges in Valasaravakkam, Police on Tuesday caught three Sri Lankans with fake passports.

They revealed during interrogation that they were about to fly to France with the help of two agents who also helped them get the fake passports, police officers said.

Police arrested the trio and nabbed the agents, Srinivasalu of Andhra Pradesh and Prabhakar of Trichy.

During a check at a lodge on Arcot Road, Police found Dharmaseelan, 39, Balakumar, 28, and Ribinius Duke, 27, had checked into one of the rooms.

"When we questioned them, they revealed that they were waiting to meet the agents and had been staying at the lodge for a few days," Assistant Commissioner of Police M Chandrasekar said. "We set a trap for the agents by getting the Sri Lankan nationals to call them to the lodge."

The agents revealed that they obtained the passports from the Madurai passport office and replaced the photographs and details on them. They had faked passports for 10 people earlier, an investigating officer said. "The agents helped the 10 people travel to France and Canada," the officer said. "Many of their customers went abroad looking for jobs but ended up behind bars."

The agents also procured fake voter ID cards and driving licences.

Police intensified checks in lodges and mansions in the neighbourhood after they arrested the Sri Lankans.

The case is likely to be handed over to the 'Q' branch Police for further investigation.

TNN