Bhubaneswar: Saheed Nagar police arrested two persons on Monday for posing as police personnel with the intent to commit fraud.
The accused have been identified as Manas Ranjan Senapati (26) from Naikandihi village in Bhadrak district and Ashis Swain (23) from Aaisha village in Puri district.
According to an official press release, the incident unfolded when Sub-Inspector J.R. Mohanty and his team were conducting a routine night patrol and stopped a car bearing registration number OD-33-Z-4988.
Upon questioning, the driver identified himself as Manas Ranjan Senapati and claimed to be a probationary officer in the Odisha Police Service, Deputy Superintendent of Police.
The other person identified himself as Ashis Swain and claimed to be a probationary constable.
Suspicion arose when the officers noticed a cap labeled “SI/ASI” and a board reading “Odisha Police” placed on the car’s dashboard. Upon inspection, they discovered several items that appeared to be forged.
The accused, Senapati and Swain, were found in possession of police uniforms, fake identity cards, and photographs of themselves in police attire. These items were being used to mislead and cheat the public by posing as police officers.
The accused are now facing charges under sections 318(4), 319(2), 336(3), 336(4), 340(2), 132, 296, 351(2), and 3(5) of the BNS (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita) Act.
The following items were seized from the accused:
- One nameplate board labeled “Odisha Police”
- One ASI/SI cap
- One police identity card
- Five passport-sized photos of Senapati in police uniform
- One appointment letter issued to Senapati as an OPS officer by the IG Personnel
- Two police admit cards
- One pair of police uniforms with a police belt
- One car (registration number OD-33-Z-4988)
- 386 fake Indian currency notes of Rs 500 denomination, totaling Rs 1,93,000
The police have lodged a case against the duo and further investigations are underway.
