Mother and son arrested for impersonating doctor and defrauding five and a half lakhs

PEERMADE: The Peerumedu police have arrested a mother and son in a case of extorting five and a half lakh rupees from a resident of Elappara by impersonating a doctor. Usha Asokan (58) and her son Vishnu (38), both natives of Kottayam Kidangoor, were arrested on the complaint of Pratish, a resident of Elappara. There are 11 similar cases against them in different stations.

Pratish met the accused Vishnu when he came to Kottayam Medical College Hospital for his son's treatment. Vishnu, who was in the hospital premises in the guise of a doctor, helped Pratish in the hospital affairs. He introduced himself as a medical college doctor. Later, when Pratish came to a private hospital in Kottayam for his father's treatment, he got in touch with Vishnu and became a victim of fraud.

Pratish had spent 55 lakhs in the hospital. Vishnu took five and a half lakh rupees from Pratish in multiple instalments, promising to get him a 32 percent refund from the health department.

The money was transferred to Usha's bank account. Peerumedu police arrested them when Pratish filed a complaint as there was no news from the mother and son. The accused were staying at Ettumanoor on rent. They were remanded in a case registered at North Paravur station and were arrested again when they were out on bail.