Mumbai: The city crime branch arrested a 36-year-old tempo driver from Mankhurd for allegedly possessing and distributing fake minor mineral transport permits used to evade govt royalties and cause revenue loss to the state exchequer.Unit 3 of the crime branch arrested Nizamuddin Tahruddin Sheikh alias Najju, following a trap laid on a tip-off received from a confidential informant. Police said they received information that fake “Royalty TP” minor mineral transport permits were being prepared and circulated for illegal transportation of minerals. A team led by police inspector Nilesh More conducted a surveillance operation near Ramalingam Lunch Home and Bar at New Mandala, Mankhurd.At around 11.05 pm, the informant identified Sheikh, who was intercepted by the police team. During a search of a black plastic bag in his possession, officers allegedly recovered four books containing fake minor mineral transport permit receipts purportedly issued by the Raigad District Mining Office.The seized books contained a total of 400 permit receipts, complete with serial numbers, barcodes, official-looking seals and details resembling genuine transport permits issued by Revenue and Forest Department. Police suspect the documents were intended for illegal transportation of minor minerals while avoiding payment of govt royalty charges.During further questioning, Sheikh allegedly told investigators that the fake permit books had been prepared by Sangharsh Sugire of Vasai and were meant to be delivered to Imran Khan of Navi Mumbai. He also allegedly admitted that similar forged permits had been supplied earlier for use by dumpers transporting minerals.Investigators are now probing the extent of the forgery racket, the number of fake permits circulated and the revenue loss caused to govt.
