LUCKNOW, July 2 -- The UP Special Task Force (STF) arrested two brothers on Wednesday for allegedly running an inter-state fraud racket that used forged vehicle documents and fake FASTags to evade toll charges, overload penalties and e-challans, causing losses worth crores to the government. The accused, Riyaz and Siraj, residents of Laharpur in Sitapur, were arrested in connection with a case registered at Sarojini Nagar police station. The case was originally lodged by the assistant regional transport officer (south), Lucknow, under BNS provisions before being transferred to the STF. "Probe revealed that Riyaz, owner of a vehicle, along with Siraj, had been using a forged FASTag linked to a fictitious registration number since 2024. The tag was initially used on another vehicle and later shifted after it met with an accident. Siraj procured the fake FASTag through an acquaintance by submitting forged registration documents to a FASTag agent of a private bank near Khairabad toll plaza," said Satyasen Yadav, additional SP, STF. The accused allegedly used the tag across multiple toll plazas to avoid higher toll charges for overloaded vehicles and escape automated traffic penalties. During interrogation, the duo admitted to the fraud for financial gain, STF said. Investigators suspect the racket may have wider links. htc...