Mumbai: Two people have been arrested for their alleged involvement in an inter-city racket dealing in forging and providing documents needed to obtain visas. The racket was busted in Saki Naka on Monday during a routine check of hotels and lodges. Police said besides Mumbai, the accused are suspected of having been active in Delhi and Kolkata, and possibly more cities.
While doing the round of hotels and lodges, a team from Saki Naka police station was informed by the manager of Aviva Hotel on 90 Feet Road that two men had checked into a room a couple of days ago and had not left it since. He added that the duo would order room service. When the police personnel entered the room, they found two men working on laptops, and a printer had been set up. There were passports and other documents strewn across the bed. The police team questioned them further and subsequently placed them under arrest.
Senior PI Avinash Dharmadhikari, Saki Naka police station, said, “The duo were preparing documents like bank statements and employment certificates to those who needed visas. Applicants for visas need to maintain a certain bank balance and have a steady job to be eligible. The accused had come to Mumbai two days ago, and had been in Delhi and Kolkata before that. We are checking for criminal records.” The duo have been charged with forgery and cheating under the IPC, police said.
He added that the duo, identified as Suraj Shreshtha, 35, and Bijaykumar Pradhan, 47, were in touch with agents who facilitate visas, and would get ‘customers’ through them. They would allegedly charge up to ₹20,000 for a set of documents. “We suspect more people are involved in the racket, and we are working on identifying and apprehending them. The arrested accused have been remanded in our custody till June 27.” he said.
