Driver Arrested in Amritsar for Impersonating Punjab Health Minister to Harass Senior Doctor
In a shocking case of impersonation, Amritsar police on Tuesday arrested a man who allegedly posed as Punjab Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh and later as an official from his office to intimidate and illegally influence a senior government doctor. The impersonator, identified as Harjit Singh (57), is educated only up to Class V and works as a driver, residing in Gurbaksh Nagar, Amritsar.
Details of the Intimidating Phone Calls
According to Amritsar Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, the incident began when the Amritsar Senior Medical Officer (SMO) received a phone call. The caller initially introduced himself as Dr Balbir Singh, the Punjab health minister, and launched into a series of intimidating and abusive remarks. He alleged large-scale mismanagement at Amritsar Civil Hospital and attempted to directly interfere in official functioning by issuing illegal instructions.
The impersonator demanded the removal of certain staff members, pressured the SMO to retain particular individuals in specific posts, and made derogatory comments against hospital employees. When the SMO questioned the caller's identity, the person changed his story, claiming to be Gurjeet Singh from the office of the health minister. Despite this shift, he continued to assert false authority and mentally harass the officer, as alleged in the complaint.
Immediate Legal Action Initiated
Alarmed by the intimidation, the SMO reported the matter to the Civil Surgeon of Amritsar, who escalated it to the health minister. Dr Balbir Singh categorically denied issuing any such call or directions and instructed officials to initiate immediate legal action against the impersonator. Following a thorough investigation, police arrested Harjit Singh on Tuesday, bringing the case to a swift conclusion.
This incident highlights the vulnerabilities in government communication channels and the need for vigilance against such fraudulent activities targeting public officials. The arrest serves as a warning to those attempting to misuse authority for personal gain or harassment.
