New Delhi (Agency): In a recent development from Jamnagar, Gujarat, a man was taken into custody for allegedly pretending to be an official from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO). The impersonator attempted to influence the release of an individual arrested on cybercrime charges, according to police officials on Sunday.
Nikunj Patel, the suspect, was arrested in Ahmedabad on Saturday and later transferred to Jamnagar. As per the account given by Deputy Superintendent of Police Jayvirsinh Zala, Patel made a move on August 10. He reached out to Jamnagar Superintendent of Police Premsukh Delu using WhatsApp. “During the call, Patel introduced himself as a CMO official,” Zala mentioned.
The deception didn’t stop there. Patel then proceeded to request the senior officer to release one Amir Aslam, a recent detainee associated with a cyber-related offence. Patel also expressed a desire to speak directly to the accused over the phone.
However, Superintendent Delu acted with caution. Instead of acquiescing to the request, he initiated an investigation into the phone call’s authenticity. The inquiry uncovered a significant finding: the phone number used for the call was not linked to any CMO official. Sharing these details with the media, Zala explained, “Upon tracing the call, we identified the caller as Patel and apprehended him in Ahmedabad.”
Following Patel’s arrest, the police have registered a case against him. He now faces charges under section 170 of the Indian Penal Code, which pertains to “impersonating a public servant.”
This incident sheds light on the importance of verifying the credibility of individuals, especially in sensitive matters involving legal and governmental proceedings. The quick thinking of Superintendent Delu ensured that the imposter’s attempts were thwarted, and justice could be pursued.