Counterfeit notes: 'Duplicate Brothers' arrested

KODUNGALLUR: Two brothers, known as 'Duplicate Brothers', have been arrested in connection with the seizure of counterfeit notes from a youth in a road accident. Kodungallur DySP Salish N Sankaran arrested Panangad natives Rakesh (37) and Rajeev (35). They were arrested from Bangalore in a case of finding Rs 1.78 lakh counterfeit notes in the possession of a BJP activist named Jeethu of Konnamparambil in Vadassery Colony in Methala, who was injured in a road accident. Both are former office bearers of Yuva Morcha and BJP.

In 2017, police arrested them with counterfeit notes and equipment used to print money from their homes. After being released on bail, they went out of Kerala and continued illegal activities. The criminal gangs in Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur and Chavakkad have been linked to the scam. Rakesh was arrested again in 2019 with Rs 52 lakh counterfeit notes in Kanjani in Anthikkad. He was released on bail and he continued printing fake notes.

Meanwhile, Jeethu was involved in an accident when he came on a bike with counterfeit notes bought from them. Jeethu, who was undergoing treatment at a hospital, was arrested and questioned yesterday.

Police have received intelligence that counterfeit notes are often used to pay daily interest to fisher folks and lottery sellers in coastal areas. Jeethu is the mediator of this. Earlier, when Rakesh and others were arrested, their pictures with top BJP leaders went viral.