In a startling revelation of audacity, the Wadala Government Railway Police (GRP) in Mumbai has registered two separate cases against commuters who impersonated government officials to travel illegally on the city's Harbour line. The incidents, occurring within a span of two weeks, involved the use of counterfeit identity cards to evade ticket checks.
The CBI Impersonator at GTB Nagar
The more recent case unfolded on December 30. A ticket checker was conducting a routine inspection in a first-class coach of a CSMT-bound local train around 1:20 pm. When the checker approached an elderly passenger at GTB Nagar station, the man claimed to be a government staffer.
Upon being asked for his identity card, the commuter presented a plastic card prominently displaying the letters 'CBI'. The card bore the name Badruddin Khan, featured the words 'Govt of India', and was stamped with an official-looking seal. Sensing irregularities, the alert ticket checker pressed for additional supporting documents.
The man, however, refused, stating he was an officer on a special task and could not disclose further information. This raised immediate suspicion, leading to the involvement of the Railway Protection Force (RPF). Khan, a resident of Govandi, was detained at the RPF chowky. During questioning, he confessed to pretending to be a CBI official. He was subsequently handed over to the Wadala GRP after authorities confirmed his documentation was entirely fabricated.
The Bogus Railway Officer at Wadala Station
The first incident had taken place earlier, on December 22. A ticket examiner checking tickets on a foot overbridge at Wadala station encountered a passenger who identified himself as a railway employee.
The individual wore an identity card around his neck that read 'Govt of India' with 'East Central Railway, Danapur division' written below. The card identified him as Amol Godale, holding the position of senior personnel officer in the commercial department at Bhabua station. An address in Nandurbar, Maharashtra was also listed.
However, when the ticket examiner probed for more specific details about his purported employment and role, Godale failed to provide coherent or satisfactory answers. His inability to substantiate his claims exposed the ruse. He too was taken into custody and handed over to the Wadala GRP, where a formal First Information Report (FIR) was registered against him.
Consequences and Ongoing Vigilance
Both individuals now face serious legal consequences for their actions. The complaints in these cases were officially filed by the ticket checking staff of the Central Railway. These incidents highlight a persistent challenge for railway authorities, who must remain vigilant against such acts of impersonation and fraud.
The modus operandi in both cases relied on the psychological intimidation of flashing seemingly authoritative government IDs to bypass scrutiny. The GRP's swift action underscores a zero-tolerance policy towards such illegal practices that not only cause revenue loss but also undermine the integrity of official positions. Commuters are urged to always carry valid tickets and legitimate identification while traveling.
