Kerala - Kochi   

Pre-paid phone connections hinder probe

KOCHI: Suspects involved in serious crimes are found to have exploited a flaw in the process for verifying identity of users purchasing pre-paid mobile phone connection.

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the assault on T.J. Joseph, Malayalam teacher at Newman College, Thodupuzha, allegedly by activists of the Popular Front of India (PFI), has found that all the suspects used pre-paid connection.

A senior official of the SIT said the modus operandi adopted by the group was to take pre-paid mobile connections using copies of identification documents, often forged or fake ones, and start using the phone straightaway. The suspects exploit the grace period of up to four days provided by some leading mobile companies for their customers to submit the original documents for personal identification. As the connection is automatically discontinued at the end of the period, the police are finding it hard to track the suspects using mobile phone records.

Different teams of SIT have been tracking calls made from across the State as part of the investigation in the case. Even though many have been arrested on charges of conspiracy, the police have arrested only one out of six persons who have been identified to be directly involved in the assault committed on July 4.

Tracking calls

Tracking the mobile phone is one of the surefire techniques used by the police to secure discreet leads into crime investigation.

Another important case where the suspects have successfully covered their tracks is the low-intensity blast at the District Collectorate.

The special team, headed by City police Commissioner Manoj Abraham, could almost confirm that the attack was planned and executed by a three-member team. But the complete absence of any calls made to or from any of their associates or accomplices makes it hard to nab them.

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