Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP) 

Mangaluru, Nov 26: Intelligence team of Number 4 Detachment Southern Command Liaison Unit of military intelligence unit led by Major Swathi Srivalli Dharwadkar, in an operation jointly conducted with a squad led by assistant commissioner of police (city northern subdivision) on November 24, nabbed Manjunath Reddy from his rented house in Suratkal. 

Allegedly Reddy was posing as a junior commissioned officer of the Indian Army. A case against him was registered in Suratkal police station under sections 171, 419 and 420 of Indian Penal Code. The raiding team found items connected with army uniform which the accused used to pose himself as a serving Indian Army officer, dependent card, and fake rubber stamps in the name of the army etc at Reddy's residence.

The accused said he purchased the army dress and equipment when working as a civilian employee in the past for Maratha Light Infantry Regimental Centre at Belagavi in the past. In the guise of being an army officer, he had organized a number of public functions like felicitation ceremonies for retired soldiers, families of martyred army personnel etc and thus earned the confidence of the people. He later took money from several with the promise of securing a job in the Indian Army, it is said. 

The army intelligence unit and also the police suspect that Reddy may be part of a bigger racket. Reddy has collected several lacs of rupees by making promises. They also feel that somebody from the Indian army may be supporting his illegal activities. Both the army and police are investigating about it further. 

The army intelligence unit has brought to the notice of the people that no one can get selected to the army by paying money through imposters and fraudulent agents. It said that no army personnel can ask for money to secure direct recruitment. Those who want to join the army can register themselves online through the website, www.joinindianarmy.gov.in, it added.