Fake passports puts NIA on alert as Tamil Nadu police probe reveals LTTE connection
India Today
Three arrests in Tamil Nadu in October 2021 over fake passports have drawn the NIA into the investigation. TN Police revealed that LTTE cadres are behind the fake passport racket.
Three arrests in Tamil Nadu over fake passports in October 2021 have put central agencies, including the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on alert. An investigation by Tamil Nadu police revealed the involvement of active Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadres behind the fake passport racket.
In Chennai, Tamilnadu police ‘Q’ branch arrested Letchumanan Mary Franciska in October 2021. Another Sri Lankan national was arrested by Tamil Nadu police in Madurai airport while boarding a Sri Lankan Airlines flight with a fake Indian passport.
Meanwhile, another man was arrested at Trichy airport after his Spanish passport was found to be fake. All these arrests by state police have altered central agencies.
On January 18, the NIA, which is the premier Indian central agency, registered a case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Passports Act, Foreigners Amendment Act and relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
They have taken up the investigation into the fake passport racket.
The agency investigated the use of fake Indian identities and Indian passports to withdraw money from several banks.
It is alleged that the fake passports and forged documents were used to withdraw money from the Indian Overseas Bank, Mumbai Fort branch for the terror activity of the LTTE.