Daijiworld Media Network - Shahjahanpur
Shahjahanpur, Jun 13: A 21-year-old man allegedly posing as a Brigadier in the Indian Army was detained by Army personnel during a sting operation at the Shaheed Museum inside Shahjahanpur Cantonment on Friday.
The accused, identified as Aryan Verma, had reportedly been moving around Shahjahanpur and neighbouring districts in full military uniform while claiming to be a senior Army officer.
According to officials, Army authorities had been monitoring Verma since April after receiving information that he was frequently seen wearing the ceremonial uniform of a Brigadier and presenting himself as a high-ranking military officer. As efforts to trace him earlier were unsuccessful, officials devised a sting operation to apprehend him.
Army personnel allegedly contacted Verma while posing as civilians and invited him to deliver a motivational speech to candidates preparing for recruitment examinations. The programme was purportedly scheduled at the Shaheed Museum within the Cantonment area.
Verma arrived at the venue on Friday morning dressed as a Brigadier and travelling in a Harrier SUV displaying military stars and flags typically associated with senior Army officers, officials said.
He was immediately detained by Army personnel upon arrival. During the operation, authorities also recovered a fake government identity card from his driver.
Investigators found that Verma was accompanied by two bouncers whom he allegedly introduced as National Security Guard (NSG) commandos. He reportedly claimed to have been provided special security cover and projected himself as a prominent military officer.
Officials also seized an identity card allegedly carrying the seal of the dean of the Armed Forces Medical College, which investigators suspect to be forged. An Army regimental cane and a fake pistol were also recovered from his possession.
An Army Intelligence team from Bareilly has taken over the investigation and is questioning the accused to determine the motive behind the alleged impersonation.
Authorities are also probing the source of the forged documents, military uniform and other materials recovered from him, besides examining whether any accomplices were involved.
Superintendent of Police Saurabh Dixit said Army officials were currently conducting their inquiry.
“Once the Army completes its investigation and transfers custody to the police, an FIR will be registered and a detailed probe will be carried out,” Dixit said.
According to documents recovered during the operation, Verma is 21 years old and had been residing in Delhi while preparing for the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET), which he had allegedly failed multiple times.
Officials said his father works in the horticulture department, while his mother is a school teacher. The investigation is continuing.