Bhubaneswar, Oct 5: The Commissionerate Police have apprehended two notorious inter-state fraudsters posing as officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) following a raid at a hotel in Bhubaneswar, Police Commissioner S. Dev Datta Singh said on Sunday.
The arrested individuals were identified as Choudhury Rinku Saini, 36, from Karnal district, and Maninder Singh, 39, from Sonipat district in Haryana. Saini claimed to be the chairman of a commission under the MHA, while Maninder was introduced as his Personal Assistant (PA).
The police initiated the investigation after receiving a suspicious communication, allegedly from the MHA, instructing authorities to provide pilot protection and security to the accused. The letter referenced a “National Chairman of Social Justice and Women Empowerment Commission,” a body that does not exist under the MHA. Upon verifying with the Ministry, the police confirmed the letter was fake. Subsequently, the accused were tracked and arrested.
Further cooperation with Haryana police revealed the duo’s involvement in similar cheating cases there. A case has been registered at Maitri Vihar police station under various sections related to cheating and forgery.
The fraudsters reportedly sent their travel details through official government email accounts to secure escort and pilot services. However, verification with the Indian government confirmed no such national commission by the name “National Commission for Social Justice and Women Empowerment” exists under the MHA or the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
Police found that Saini holds no official government position, and the ID cards and letters presented were forged, with several discrepancies in designations. The accused used these forged documents to impersonate senior government officials and commit fraud.
The Commissionerate Police seized forged documents during the arrest and suspect the duo cheated multiple individuals by posing as officials from a non-existent national commission.
Bhubaneswar Deputy Commissioner of Police Jagmohan Meena appealed to the public to come forward if anyone has been defrauded by the accused and report to the nearest police station.
Tags: prameyanews Crime Bhubaneswar
