Daijiworld Media Network- Mumbai
Mumbai, Jun 30: In a startling breach of security, the Mumbai Crime Branch has arrested a 32-year-old man for impersonating an IAS officer and using forged documents to stay at a high-security government guest house in Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC). The accused, identified as Chandramohan Prasad Rambali Singh, a native of Mahua in Bihar’s Vaishali district, had managed to deceive authorities using a fake identity card and 'Government of India' insignia on a private vehicle.
According to officials from Unit 12 of the Crime Branch, Singh had been residing at the 'Panhala' guest house of the Customs Department by pretending to be a senior government official. His fraudulent activities came to light after a tip-off led police to the Silver Oak Hotel area in Malad (West), where they found a vehicle bearing an official-looking government placard. Singh, seated in the rear, introduced himself as an IAS officer and presented forged credentials.
He was swiftly detained and taken to the Crime Branch office, where he confessed that the identity documents he had used were fabricated. Investigators recovered a forged Ministry of Home Affairs ID card, a visiting card identifying him as a section officer in the security department, along with his Aadhaar card, two mobile phones, and the tablet used for navigation. The vehicle, which carried a fake ‘Government of India’ nameplate, has been seized.
The car was reportedly owned by an individual named Kamble, and the driver told police that he had received instructions from a mutual contact to ferry "Saheb" Chandramohan from the guest house to various locations. Singh allegedly claimed he was in Mumbai on an audit assignment.
Further shocking revelations emerged during the probe. In a previous incident in Dadar, Singh had evaded traffic scrutiny by flashing his fake IAS ID, convincing officials to allow him passage. Police suspect he may have attempted to gain access to senior officials or secure government favours under false pretences.
The incident has sparked serious concerns about the ease with which government identities can be forged and the lack of verification protocols at sensitive accommodations like Customs guest houses.
Investigations are ongoing to ascertain how long the accused had been misusing his fake identity, whether he had accomplices, and if he had succeeded in meeting or misleading any government personnel. Authorities are also probing if similar impersonation attempts were made in other cities.
The case underscores the growing need for stringent verification procedures, especially at government establishments, to prevent such grave security lapses in the future.