The police have arrested Radhakrishna Pillai, 52, of Punnakkulam in Kottukal on charges of posing as an advocate.
Assistant Commissioner of Police, Fort, M. Radhakrishnan Nair; Circle Inspector Sheen Tharayil; and sub-inspectors R. Sivakumar and Antony made the arrest on the basis of a complaint filed by Alfred of Althara, Malayam. The complaint said the accused had collected Rs.25,000 from him by promising to prevent recovery proceedings by the State bank of India.
According to Mr. Tharayil, the accused approached Alfred after the bank authorities issued an advertisement in newspapers stating that the complainant's house would be auctioned to recover an amount due to the bank. Radhakrishna Pillai approached Alfred and introduced himself as an advocate of the High Court and offered ‘help.' The accused had written letters to borrowers whose properties were listed for auction in advertisements of the banks. He was arrested from near the Central Railway Station. He had also collected Rs.65,000 from Roy Babu of Punnamoodu, Varkala, the officer said.
Visa fraud
The Fort police arrested Shahir, 44, of Varkala on charges of duping people by offering job visas to Germany. A complaint filed by one Sudhakaran of Ulloor said Shahir befriended him at the Vanchiyoor court complex and took away Rs.5,000 and documents from him by offering a visa.
Circle Inspector, Fort, V. Suresh Kumar and sub-inspector Sherry said the accused had collected money from many women on the pretext of marrying them. Cases were pending against Shahir in the Thampanoor and Kayamkulam police stations.
Taxi driver killed
Sasidharan, 54, of Kadavumkonam Veedu, Vellachipara, Panchamoodu, Vellarada, was killed when the motorcycle he was riding was knocked down by a kerala State Road Transport Corporation bus at Killipalam. Sudhakaran was a taxi driver attached to a hotel at Thampanoor and was going to Karamana when the accident occurred at 11 a.m., the police said.
Found hanging
Salini, 26, of Kovilavila Veedu, Vandithadom, Vellayani and Hema Chandran, 20, of Hemanth Bhavan, Alathara, Sreekaryam, were found hanging at their respective houses.
