Bouncers, car, air pistol: 21-year-old 'Brigadier' arrested in UP after Army sets trap
A 21-year-old man posing as an Army Brigadier was arrested in Uttar Pradesh's Shahjahanpur. During questioning, the accused said he failed NEET but lied to his heart patient mother that he had become an armed forces doctor. He allegedly procured military uniforms and insignia to maintain the deception.
A 21-year-old man allegedly posing as a Brigadier was arrested in Uttar Pradesh's Shahjahanpur district during a covert operation carried out by Station Headquarters Shahjahanpur and local ex-servicemen. The accused, identified as Aryan Verma, was found dressed in a Brigadier's uniform and accompanied by associates allegedly impersonating security personnel.
During questioning, Verma told investigators that he had failed the NEET examination despite aspiring to become a doctor in the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC). He said he lied to his mother, who suffers from a heart ailment, telling her that he had become a doctor in the armed forces. To keep up the facade, he allegedly procured military uniforms, insignia and related equipment from Noida and Gurugram.
According to officials, the operation was conducted on June 12 following intelligence inputs received over the previous two months regarding the movement of a suspected impostor in Shahjahanpur and nearby areas.
According to officials, intelligence inputs received over the past two months had raised concerns about Verma moving around Shahjahanpur and nearby areas while claiming to be a senior Army officer. Acting on the information, Administrative Commandant of Station Headquarters Shahjahanpur Colonel JS Jaglan coordinated with local ex-servicemen to verify the suspect's identity.
As part of a trap, Verma was invited to a function at the Shaheed Museum under the pretext of motivating and felicitating students. Upon reaching the venue, he was identified and taken into custody.
Officials said he arrived in a Tata Harrier displaying a one-star plate and an Army Headquarters flag. He was accompanied by a driver carrying a Government of India identity card and two men dressed in black who allegedly posed as NSG commandos.
During the search, authorities recovered a fake Brigadier identity card, an air pistol, an AMC regimental cane and other military-style articles. Police said Verma had also been driving around using Army insignia on his father's vehicle.
Circle Officer (City) Pankaj Pant said a complaint had been received and a case was being registered. The driver and the two security personnel accompanying Verma are also being questioned. Further legal action will be taken based on the outcome of the investigation.
The Army said the operation highlighted the vigilance of military authorities and ex-servicemen, adding that impersonation of military personnel and unauthorised use of military insignia and identity documents are serious offences that will be dealt with firmly under the law.
A 21-year-old man allegedly posing as a Brigadier was arrested in Uttar Pradesh's Shahjahanpur district during a covert operation carried out by Station Headquarters Shahjahanpur and local ex-servicemen. The accused, identified as Aryan Verma, was found dressed in a Brigadier's uniform and accompanied by associates allegedly impersonating security personnel.
During questioning, Verma told investigators that he had failed the NEET examination despite aspiring to become a doctor in the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC). He said he lied to his mother, who suffers from a heart ailment, telling her that he had become a doctor in the armed forces. To keep up the facade, he allegedly procured military uniforms, insignia and related equipment from Noida and Gurugram.
According to officials, the operation was conducted on June 12 following intelligence inputs received over the previous two months regarding the movement of a suspected impostor in Shahjahanpur and nearby areas.
According to officials, intelligence inputs received over the past two months had raised concerns about Verma moving around Shahjahanpur and nearby areas while claiming to be a senior Army officer. Acting on the information, Administrative Commandant of Station Headquarters Shahjahanpur Colonel JS Jaglan coordinated with local ex-servicemen to verify the suspect's identity.
As part of a trap, Verma was invited to a function at the Shaheed Museum under the pretext of motivating and felicitating students. Upon reaching the venue, he was identified and taken into custody.
Officials said he arrived in a Tata Harrier displaying a one-star plate and an Army Headquarters flag. He was accompanied by a driver carrying a Government of India identity card and two men dressed in black who allegedly posed as NSG commandos.
During the search, authorities recovered a fake Brigadier identity card, an air pistol, an AMC regimental cane and other military-style articles. Police said Verma had also been driving around using Army insignia on his father's vehicle.
Circle Officer (City) Pankaj Pant said a complaint had been received and a case was being registered. The driver and the two security personnel accompanying Verma are also being questioned. Further legal action will be taken based on the outcome of the investigation.
The Army said the operation highlighted the vigilance of military authorities and ex-servicemen, adding that impersonation of military personnel and unauthorised use of military insignia and identity documents are serious offences that will be dealt with firmly under the law.
