This beggar in Bangalore could make you a doctor

Bangalore: Fifty-one-year-old R Raghavan is a beggar with a difference who used fake medical certificates that declared his son's terminal illness to reach out to his patrons.

He also supplied such certificates to anyone willing to pay a price.

Raghavan, who was arrested by the Chickpete police on April 22, revealed during interrogation that he was not only a beggar but had also mastered the art of printing fake medical certificates for employees of private firms.

The police also suspect Raghavan sold fake medical degree certificates to students from Bihar, Orissa and Assam at throwaway prices for the four-odd years he has been in Bangalore.

"Raghavan knew many private sector employees who came to hospitals for medical certificates in order to avail leave and other allowances. This spurred him to enter the fake certificate racket," said Inspector Shiv Kumar of the Chickpete police station.

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Police sources added that the money earned from the racketeering was not enough to fund the life Raghavan wanted to lead.

"He then planned to earn something on the side by showing people fake certificates that showed that his son suffered from an incurable disease. Apart from begging Raghavan even sold fake medical degree certificates at throwaway prices.The ploy worked and Raghavan earned lakhs by exploiting his victim's emotions," said a police source.

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He finally had the income needed for his daily needs and some to spare for his drinking habit. However, Raghavan's luck ran out recently and he was arrested by the Chickpete police.

"He doesn't have any relatives here. He cons people into believing that his son has a disease. People who are moved by his plight hand him money. We are investigating whether he has sold fake medical certificates to students from other states," said Shiv Kumar.