New Panvel man held in forgery case

A 29-year-old New Panvel resident was arrested by Naupada police for keeping fake rubber stamp, stamp papers and other documents which are worth Rs1.84 lakh.

Ashok Arun Kharat was arrested on February 1 around 12.40pm from Naupada area in Thane with the help of Thane crime branch. He was produced in court on Wednesday.

Reportedly, Kharat was involved in forgery work for month and fooled many residents. When one of the victims learnt that the stamps were fake, he tipped-off the police.

An official said, “We have recovered 447 rubber stamps and other important government-related documents.”

The accused has been booked under sections 467 (forgery of valuable security, will, etc), 468 (forgery for purpose of cheating), 471 (using as genuine a forged 1[document or electronic record]), 472 (making or possessing counterfeit seal), 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property) and 259 (having possession of counterfeit government stamp) of the Indian Penal Code.