Thiruvananthapuram: An agent of Pathanamthitta regional transport office (RTO) was sentenced to a total of 28 years’ rigorous imprisonment and fined Rs 2.5 lakh by Kollam vigilance court on Wednesday in a case involving the issuance of fake driving licences and preparation of forged documents.Kollam vigilance court judge Mohit C S found Muhammad Shafeeq A, 47, a native of Adoor in Pathanamthitta, guilty of offences related to fraudulent issuance of driving licences and other services without following mandatory procedures.According to the vigilance, the case relates to irregularities committed during 2008-09, when Shafeeq, who was an RTO agent, allegedly colluded with the then Pathanamthitta RTO and another agent to provide driving licences and related services without conducting the prescribed tests and verification procedures.He allegedly collected money from applicants seeking new driving licences, addition of light motor vehicle (LMV) and heavy passenger vehicle licences, badge endorsements and change of address in driving licences. The services were allegedly provided without conducting driving tests or completing other statutory procedures. Forged documents were also prepared and submitted to facilitate the issuance of licences, the vigilance said.Vigilance had registered a case against the then Pathanamthitta RTO, Shafeeq and another agent in connection with the alleged fraud. The former RTO, who was the first accused, died during the trial. The other RTO agent, the third accused, died during the course of investigation.The court sentenced Shafeeq under various sections and directed that the sentences be served concurrently.The prosecution was represented by public prosecutors Divya P S and V Vijayan. The investigation was carried out by vigilance special investigation unit officers, including former DSP M H Latheef and former inspector Biju S A.
