On April 8, Dhananjay Kamlakar, additional commissioner of police (crime) busted an illegal telephone exchange in Malvani.

The cops arrested Suryakant Shetty and Suryakant Shenoy for running the telephone exchange that has caused a Rs 600 crores loss to Videsh Sanchar Nigam Limited (VSNL).

Bangalore-based Suryakant Shetty, who was working with the automobile industry after having secured a degree in MSc, came across a website which explained how to set up a telephone exchange.

He learnt the technique and accordingly got duplicate accessories required for running the telephone exchange from Chor Bazaar in Chennai. He then moved to Mumbai and set up the illegal telephone exchange in Plot no B-202, Malvani.

According to an official from the crime branch, Shetty issued duplicate Orange calling cards to his customers who could make international calls at discounted rates.

Padmaraman Murli, an ex-employee with Orange supplied 30 Orange cards for the operation of the telephone exchange. With the running of the illegal telephone exchange, VSNL suffered loses worth Rs 600 crores, he adds.

The accused are now in police custody.

prachi@mid-day.com