In a startling case of impersonation, the Naroda police in Ahmedabad have arrested an autorickshaw driver who allegedly posed as a crime branch officer to extort money from a city resident. The accused, identified as Mohammed Shahrookh (32), was apprehended on Tuesday following a tip-off, leading to the recovery of the entire ₹40,000 he had taken from the complainant.
The Sting Operation and Arrest
Acting on specific intelligence about a person impersonating a police official in the Naroda area, a team from the Naroda police station initiated surveillance. Their focus was the Dhanushdhari temple road. The suspect was soon spotted walking towards Naroda and was promptly intercepted by the police team.
During initial questioning, Shahrookh boldly claimed to be an officer from the crime branch. However, when the police asked him to provide official identification to prove his claim, he could not produce any documents. Cornered, he eventually broke down and confessed to the impersonation.
Confession and Recovery of Extorted Money
The accused admitted to his crime in detail. He confessed that he had threatened the complainant with legal action to extract the sum of ₹40,000. Following his confession, the police successfully recovered the full amount from his possession. A formal case was then registered at the Naroda police station under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for impersonation and cheating.
A History of Criminal Activities
Investigations into Shahrookh's background revealed a troubling criminal past. Naroda police inspector P V Gohil stated that preliminary probes show the accused has multiple cases registered against him at various police stations across Ahmedabad. His alleged offences are not limited to impersonation but also include charges related to theft, assault, and extortion.
Given his modus operandi, the police strongly suspect that Shahrookh may have targeted other victims in the past using the same tactic of posing as a police officer to threaten and extort money. The accused was formally arrested and produced before a court for further legal proceedings. The police continue their investigation to uncover any other potential crimes linked to him.
