In a bold case of impersonation, the Pune Rural police have apprehended a 34-year-old man for allegedly posing as a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) official and attempting to extort money from a local pharmacist. The incident, which unfolded in Rajgurunagar, highlights the vigilance of the business community and swift police action.
The Suspicious Encounter and Arrest
The drama began when the accused, identified as a 34-year-old resident of Sangvi, approached a 29-year-old pharmacy owner in Rajgurunagar. Posing as a drug inspector, he demanded a payment of Rs 20,000 from the pharmacist. However, the pharmacy owner's experience proved to be the fraudster's undoing.
"The pharmacist got suspicious as the identity card shown by the accused was different from that of a drug inspector, who regularly used to visit his shop for inspection," explained an officer from the Khed police station. Recognizing the discrepancies, the alert owner not only refused the demand but also immediately alerted fellow pharmacy owners in the area about the suspicious individual.
Recovery of Fake ID and Legal Charges
Acting on the information, the police swiftly moved in and detained the impersonator. During the arrest, authorities recovered a fake identity card from his possession, which was purportedly meant to establish his false credentials as a government official.
The Pune Rural police have registered a formal case against the accused under the stringent Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The charges invoked are serious and include:
- Section 204: Personating a public servant.
- Section 336: Forgery.
- Section 337: Forgery of court records, public registers, and identity documents.
This legal framework ensures that the act of forging official documents and impersonating authorities is met with severe consequences.
Ongoing Investigation and Community Alert
Following the arrest on Tuesday, the accused was taken to the police station for further questioning. Police officials confirmed that further investigation is currently underway to determine if the individual targeted other businesses or if he was part of a larger racket.
This incident serves as a crucial reminder for business owners, especially those in regulated sectors like pharmaceuticals, to verify the credentials of anyone claiming to be a government inspector. The collaborative effort between the vigilant pharmacist and the prompt response from the Pune Rural police successfully thwarted the extortion attempt.
