Unusual Police Impersonation Scheme Uncovered in Vadodara
In a bizarre incident from Vadodara, a man's creative attempt to enjoy free Chinese food by pretending to be a police officer has resulted in his arrest. The Bapod police took Bakul Jashu into custody on Friday after his unusual scheme unraveled, exposing a pattern of similar fraudulent activities.
The Chinese Food Incident
The case began when Bakul visited a Chinese eatery located near Sardar Estate on November 23. According to police reports, he ordered Chinese bhel for takeaway but had no intention of paying for it immediately. After collecting his food, Bakul called the restaurant owner, Siddique Ali Saiyad, claiming to be a sub-inspector and promising to send the payment at a later time.
When no payment materialized, Saiyad decided to call back the following day. This time, Rashmi, Bakul's wife, answered the phone and assured the restaurant owner that the payment would be made soon. However, the money never arrived, prompting Saiyad to file an official complaint with the authorities.
Police Investigation Reveals Pattern
During their investigation, the Bapod police discovered that Bakul had been systematically posing as a police officer to avoid payments for various services. The probe revealed that this wasn't an isolated incident - the couple had employed similar tactics with other service providers.
On November 25, just two days after the Chinese food incident, Bakul had duped a motorbike taxi driver by introducing himself as a police officer. After traveling with the biker for some distance, Bakul refused to pay the Rs 40 fare. Despite the driver's repeated pleas, Bakul remained firm in his refusal, eventually forcing the driver to report the matter to police.
Police officials noted that Bakul used a stern tone and authoritative manner to convincingly portray himself as a genuine police officer during these encounters.
Legal Consequences and Apology
The investigation led to the arrest of Bakul Jashu, while his wife Rashmi has also been booked for abetment in the case. The legal action underscores the seriousness of police impersonation, even when motivated by seemingly minor financial gains.
In a dramatic turn of events, Bakul was seen apologizing at the police station on Friday. Police officers made him perform sit-ups as part of his warning and cautioned him against ever posing as a policeman again. The incident serves as a stark reminder that impersonating law enforcement officials carries significant legal consequences, regardless of the scale of the intended fraud.
