Fake government officials nabbed with IDs bearing national emblem

Ahmedabad, Gujarat — In a dramatic security breach, four men pretending to be high-ranking central government officials were caught red-handed at the Ahmedabad Rural Superintendent of Police (SP) office on June 3. The accused attempted to gain access to the premises with fraudulent identity cards displaying the national emblem — the Ashoka Pillar — and falsely claimed to be associated with a government investigative body.

“They were acting too confident and used designations like ‘National Director’ and ‘Joint Director’. That immediately raised suspicion,” said Assistant Sub-Inspector Manubhai Vajubhai Jadav of the Special Operations Group (SOG), who filed the complaint.

The arrested individuals — Jayesh Pravinchandra Gajjar, Utsav Vishnubhai Panchal, Pritamsingh Ramdas Prajapati, and Pravinbhai Gelaji Thakor — carried ID cards from an alleged outfit called the National Crime Investigation Commission (NCIC) Foundation. Their cards claimed affiliation with the Ministry of MSME, Government of India, and bore impressive-looking titles and expiry dates valid until March 31, 2026.

“They introduced themselves as officials from NCIC Foundation and said they were on a mission to ‘serve the people’. But their documents and body language didn’t add up,” Jadav added.

Another man, Yogesh Ishwarbhai Panchal, who accompanied them, admitted to not having any official ID. Upon intense questioning, all five confessed they were members of a private organisation based in Rupnagar, Punjab, and had no connection to the government. The use of government symbols and false credentials has serious legal consequences.

The case has been registered under Section 205 of the Indian Penal Code, which addresses impersonation of a public servant. Further legal proceedings are being undertaken by the Sarkhej Police, who are now investigating the group’s intentions and broader network.

The incident has sparked concern over how easily official symbols are misused. “Misusing national symbols to deceive law enforcement is a grave offence and won’t be taken lightly,” a senior police officer emphasized.