Major Breakthrough in IAS Impersonation Case
In a significant development, the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar city police successfully apprehended two individuals from Delhi's Palam area late Friday evening. The arrest operation was conducted with crucial support from the Delhi Police's special cell, marking a crucial advancement in the ongoing investigation involving Kalpana Bhagwat, who was previously arrested for allegedly posing as an IAS officer.
The Arrested Duo and Their Connection
The suspects have been identified as Mohammed Ashraf Khil and Dimpy Harjai, who also operated under the alias Abhishek Choudhari. Following their capture in Delhi, both individuals were transported by road to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on Saturday. A local magistrate court subsequently ordered them to remain in police custody for ten days to enable thorough interrogation.
Investigators revealed that since Bhagwat's arrest earlier this month, both Khil and Harjai had deliberately switched off their mobile devices and gone into hiding. This forced law enforcement agencies to employ advanced technical surveillance methods, including detailed analysis of digital footprints, travel patterns, and electronic communication records.
International Connections and Suspicious Activities
According to police sources, Mohammed Ashraf Khil maintained a close personal relationship with Kalpana Bhagwat and is believed to have played a central role in establishing her communication network with numerous foreign contacts. His activities are currently under intense scrutiny as part of a broader investigation into potential cross-border connections that raise national security concerns.
During earlier stages of the investigation, authorities discovered at least 11 Pakistan-based phone numbers stored in Bhagwat's mobile device. One particularly alarming contact was saved under the label "Peshawar Cantonment Board," which immediately raised red flags about the nature and purpose of her international communications.
Meanwhile, Dimpy Harjai allegedly impersonated an Officer on Special Duty to the Union Home Minister, utilizing this fabricated identity to deceive individuals and gain access to influential circles. Police are examining whether this impersonation was specifically designed to facilitate operations or build credibility for potentially fraudulent activities connected to Bhagwat.
Ongoing Investigation and Future Actions
Investigators have uncovered substantial evidence showing that Bhagwat created morphed, AI-generated photographs depicting herself alongside prominent political figures while posing as an IAS officer assigned to the Union Home Ministry. Additionally, she is under investigation for allegedly attempting to help foreign nationals, including an Afghan family and a woman from Uzbekistan, obtain visas through questionable methods.
Official sources confirmed that central agencies are actively coordinating with city police and exploring multiple angles, including potential espionage activities, financial trails, and digital communications with foreign entities. Authorities anticipate more arrests as investigation teams continue tracking additional suspects believed to be connected to this extensive network.
The case has highlighted growing concerns about identity fraud and national security vulnerabilities, with law enforcement agencies intensifying their efforts to dismantle the entire network involved in these sophisticated impersonation schemes.
