Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], November 27 (HBTV): The Film Nagar Police Station in Hyderabad has apprehended an imposter, Bathini Shashikanth (39), who was involved in a series of offences including duping, extortion, cheating, forgery and criminal intimidation, according to an official release.
The accused had been misleading the public for over two years by posing as an IAS officer in the capacity of Deputy Commissioner and, at times, as an IPS or NIA officer, thereby duping innocent citizens of large sums of money.
The investigation revealed that he projected himself as a high-ranking public servant by creating and using fake IAS, IPS and NIA identity cards, visiting cards and forged documents. He also hired two bodyguards and weapons from Tamil Nadu to present himself as a senior government official.
In addition, he fixed police sirens to a private vehicle and used walkie-talkies to imitate official communication. He circulated a forged TSIIC industrial land allotment letter to cheat victims.
Using these methods, the accused gained the trust of the complainant, Ali Hassan, Managing Director of Gold Gym. A total of INR 10,50,665 was collected through bank transfers, UPI payments and cash under the guise of facilitating industrial land procurement and other official favours. After receiving the money, the accused absconded.
Acting on credible information, the Film Nagar Police conducted a swift operation on Tuesday and detained the accused at his temporary residence.
The police arrested Bathini Shashikanth (39), a resident of Aparna Aura Apartments, Shaikpet, Hyderabad. The absconding associates, Praveen and Vimal, who acted as fake bodyguards, are yet to be arrested.
The Hyderabad Police have advised citizens to remain alert, avoid believing such persons or firms and immediately report suspicious activities.
The officials recovered two mobile phones, six SIM cards, two walkie-talkies and a fake ID card from the accused’s possession.
(ANI)