A person was arrested by Aluva police on Monday for duping hotel owners by pretending to be the local food inspector. Suresh Babu, 52, Parikappilly House, Eloor Manjummel, introduced himself as the food inspector based in Tripunithura and had free food from a few hotels in Aluva, Perumbavoor, Kalamassery and nearby areas.
He then went a step ahead and asked for money from hotel owners on the assurance that he would help them out in emergencies.
This triggered suspicion among the hotel owners, who made reference petitions to Aluva SI P A Faisal. Babu, who was under the police scanner, appeared again at one of the restaurants at Bank Kavala in Aluva on Monday, and the police arrested him.
He would be presented before the First Class Magistrate Court on Tuesday for judicial remand.