A man accused of posing as an IAS officer and claiming to be National Security Advisor Ajit Doval’s undercover agent has been arrested in Bihar. Police seized a Tesla with a ‘Government of India’ board, imported liquor and other items from his home.
The arrest
A man who allegedly posed as an IAS officer and claimed to be an undercover agent working under National Security Advisor Ajit Doval has been arrested in Bihar’s Khagaria district.
The accused, identified as Manish Gupta, was arrested from his residence in Jamalpur, under the Gogri police station area, after police received a tip-off, according to the police.
A search of his residence led to the seizure of a Tesla, a Tata Safari, imported liquor, mobile phones, bank cards and other items.
What did Gupta claim?
According to Khagaria Superintendent of Police Bhanu Pratap Singh, Gupta allegedly created an identity around supposed government connections.
During questioning, Gupta reportedly showed police a card claiming an association with the Central Vigilance Commission. He also allegedly claimed that he worked as an undercover agent under Ajit Doval.
Police said Gupta produced an identity card identifying him as an IAS officer. Preliminary verification, however, found that the claims were allegedly false.
Police allege that Gupta used the fabricated government identity to cheat people in Khagaria and other parts of Bihar.
Tesla carried a ‘Government of India’ board
One of the more unusual recoveries from the residence was a Tesla equipped with a full self-driving feature.
Police said the vehicle was carrying a ‘Government of India’ board and was allegedly used by Gupta while travelling across Bihar.
A Tata Safari was also seized from the premises. Police are now examining the vehicles and other assets as part of their investigation into the alleged fraud and their source.
Liquor, phones and bank cards seized
Police said they recovered more than 31 litres of imported foreign liquor, along with beer.
The search also allegedly yielded five Apple iPhones, 20 credit cards, eight debit cards and four cheque-books.
Two horns believed to belong to a barasingha, or swamp deer, were also found at the residence.
Police said possession of the suspected wildlife trophies is punishable under the Wildlife Protection Act.
Police probe source of assets
Police suspect that Gupta may have acquired substantial assets through alleged fraud, deception or corruption.
However, the exact value and source of his assets have not been established. Investigators are examining his properties and other assets as part of the ongoing probe.
The Bihar Police are also expected to seek assistance from the Economic Offences Unit as the investigation progresses.
The investigation will examine how long Gupta allegedly impersonated an IAS officer, whether he cheated other people and how he acquired the vehicles and other valuables seized from his residence.
The allegations against Gupta are part of an ongoing investigation and have not been established by a court.
TL;DR | News At a Glance
Manish Gupta was arrested from his residence in Bihar’s Khagaria district.
Police allege he posed as an IAS officer and used the identity to carry out fraud and cheating.
Gupta allegedly claimed he worked as an undercover agent under Ajit Doval.
Police said preliminary verification found his IAS and government-linked identity claims to be false.
A Tesla carrying a ‘Government of India’ board was among the items seized.
Police also recovered imported liquor, phones, bank cards and suspected wildlife trophies.
Investigators are probing the source of his assets.
