Fake degree certificate: Nikhil Thomas’s aide Abin Raj under custody

Kochi: Former SFI leader Abin C Raj, who is accused of helping Nikhil Thomas create fake degree certificates, was taken into custody on Monday night. He was held around 11:30 PM at Nedumbassery airport, upon his arrival from Maldives. Abin is the second accused in the document forgery case.

Abin was taken into custody by a team of police led by Kayamkulam SI Uday Kumar. Abin Raj’s mother also arrived in Kochi yesterday, she works in Maldives as well.

Abin is currently working as a teacher in Maldives. The police were trying to get his custody ever since Nikhil revealed Abin's role in the fraud. Abin was taken to Kayamkulam police station for further interrogation.

Abin, a Kandalloor resident, used to be SFI Kayamkulam president during the time when Nikhil served as the area secretary in the region. Abin later moved to Maldives after receiving a job.

Abin is believed to be the mastermind behind creating the fake degree certificate. It is said that he used to run an agency for helping students obtain admissions in various universities during his college days in Thiruvananthapuram. Police, at present, are digging up the details of the agency, suspecting further foul play.

Earlier during interrogation, Nikhil Thomas had revealed that he had paid Abin a sum of Rs 2 lakhs for obtaining the fake degree certificate. Now, with the arrest of Abin, further information regarding the case is expected to come out.

Meanwhile, the investigation team has revealed that Nikhil is not completely cooperating with the investigation. His mobile phone has not been found yet. During a search operation conducted at Nikhil’s residence, police found  the fake certificates including Kalinga degree certificate, provisional certificate, mark list for three years, and a migration certificate. Nikhil’s documents in MSM college have also been secured by the police.