Tempo driver held with fake mineral permits in Mumbai

The Mumbai crime branch arrested a 36-year-old tempo driver, Nizamuddin Tahruddin Sheikh alias Najju, from Mankhurd for allegedly possessing and distributing fake minor mineral transport permits. The permits were used to evade government royalties and cause revenue loss to the state exchequer, the Times of India reports.

Police laid a trap after a tip-off and intercepted Sheikh near Ramalingam Lunch Home and Bar in Mankhurd around 11.05 pm. Officers recovered four books containing 400 fake permit receipts, complete with serial numbers, barcodes, and seals resembling genuine permits from the Revenue and Forest Department.

Sheikh allegedly told investigators that the fake permits were prepared by Sangharsh Sugire of Vasai and were meant for Imran Khan of Navi Mumbai. He also claimed similar forged permits had been supplied earlier for dumpers. Police are probing the extent of the racket and the revenue loss caused.