Ahmedabad City Police have arrested a property dealer for allegedly impersonating a police officer and fraudulently summoning a patrol vehicle to a location in the city. The incident, which led to the filing of a First Information Report (FIR) on Thursday night, highlights an audacious attempt to misuse police authority.
The Suspicious Call and Swift Police Action
The chain of events began when the Police Station Officer (PSO) of Navrangpura police station received a call on December 17. The caller identified himself as "PSI Rathod from Mehsana" and inquired about an accused person supposedly within the jurisdiction of the Gujarat University police station. This information was relayed to PSO Kalaji Bavaji at the Gujarat University police station.
Acting on the information, PSO Bavaji called the provided mobile number. The man on the other end reiterated his false identity, claiming again to be PSI Rathod from Mehsana. He then asked whether an address near the Memnagar fire station fell under Bavaji's jurisdiction. Upon confirmation, the impersonator instructed Bavaji to dispatch a police vehicle to that address and to share his contact number with the arriving team.
How the Impersonation Unraveled
A police team from PCR-20 was sent to the specified location as instructed. However, upon their return, they expressed strong suspicions about the legitimacy of "PSI Rathod." Their doubts prompted PSO Kalaji Bavaji to initiate a verification check.
Bavaji investigated whether any officer by the name of PSI Rathod was actually posted with the Mehsana police. The enquiry revealed that no such officer existed. This confirmation of a fabricated identity led to the immediate filing of an FIR at the Gujarat University police station on Thursday night against the mobile number holder.
Arrest and Legal Consequences
The police swiftly traced and arrested the accused, identified as Tarun B Brahmbhatt, a property dealer hailing from Patan. He was booked under BNS Section 204 for the offence of impersonating a public servant.
Addressing the media, 'B' Division ACP H M Kansagra stated, "When the police found that nobody by the name of PSI Rathod was posted with Mehsana Police, the mobile number holder was booked for impersonation and placed under arrest." The case underscores the vigilance of the police personnel who detected the deception and took prompt legal action.
