A man who allegedly impersonated an IAS officer, claimed to be an undercover agent working for National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and travelled around Bihar in a Tesla displaying a ‘Government of India’ board has been arrested in Khagaria, police said on Monday.
The accused, identified as Manish Gupta, was arrested from his residence in Jamalpur under the Gogri police station area following a tip-off. During a search of his house, police recovered a Tesla equipped with a full self-driving feature, a Tata Safari, imported liquor, several mobile phones, bank cards and other valuables.
Khagaria SP Bhanu Pratap Singh said Gupta had allegedly been using his fake identity as an IAS officer to commit fraud and cheat people in different parts of Bihar.
“During interrogation, Gupta showed a card of the Central Vigilance Commission and claimed that he worked as an undercover agent under National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. He also showed an identity card mentioning him to be an IAS officer. Preliminary investigation showed that all these claims were fake,” Singh said.
FAKE IAS ID, DOVAL CONNECTION CLAIM
According to police, Gupta had constructed an elaborate identity based on alleged links with government agencies. He reportedly introduced himself as an IAS officer and claimed to have connections with the Central Vigilance Commission.
Police said the identity card recovered from his home, which described him as an IAS officer, was found to be fake during initial verification.
Gupta also allegedly told investigators that he was working as an undercover agent under Ajit Doval. Police said this claim was also found to be false.
The SP said Gupta had allegedly used the fabricated government credentials to deceive people in Khagaria and other parts of Bihar.
TESLA WITH ‘GOVERNMENT OF INDIA’ BOARD SEIZED
A Tesla fitted with a full self-driving feature and displaying a ‘Government of India’ board was among the items recovered during the raid.
“The Tesla car with full self-driving technology feature is a rarity in India,” Singh said.
Police also recovered a Tata Safari from the premises. Investigators said Gupta allegedly used the Tesla while travelling across Bihar as part of his fraudulent activities.
The seizure of the luxury vehicles has become an important part of the investigation as police seek to determine how Gupta obtained the assets and whether they were connected to the alleged fraud and cheating.
31 LITRES OF FOREIGN LIQUOR, CARDS RECOVERED
The search of Gupta’s residence resulted in several other recoveries.
Police said more than 31 litres of imported foreign liquor, along with a significant quantity of beer, was seized. Five Apple iPhones, 20 credit cards, eight debit cards and four cheque-books were also recovered.
Two horns suspected to belong to a barasingha, or swamp deer, were also found at the residence.
“Possession of which is punishable under the Wildlife Protection Act,” Singh said.
The suspected wildlife trophies have also become part of the police investigation.
POLICE TO PROBE SOURCE OF ASSETS
Police suspect that Gupta may have accumulated significant assets through fraud, deception and alleged corruption.
“The assets he acquired were through fraud, deception, or corruption,” Singh said.
Investigators are examining Gupta’s properties and other assets to determine their source. The Bihar Police is also expected to seek assistance from the Economic Offences Unit (EOU) as the investigation progresses.
Singh said an extensive probe would be conducted into the allegations of fraud, impersonation and the origins of Gupta’s assets.
The investigation will examine how long Gupta had allegedly posed as an IAS officer, who he may have deceived and how he obtained the vehicles and other valuables seized from his residence.
