MALAPPURAM: A fake Collector, who had announced a holiday for educational institutions in Malappuram district on December 3, has been caught red-handed by the police. The 17-year-old boy from Vairankode in Thirunavaya was taken into custody for spreading a fake message in the name of the Malappuram District Collector. The teenager was counselled by the police and later released into the custody of his parents.

The District Collector had declared a holiday for all educational institutions except professional colleges in Malappuram on December 3 in the wake of the heavy rain in the district. However, the 17-year-old boy had already spread a fake message claiming to be the Collector's official notification before the Collector made the official announcement.