Inside the Navi Mumbai Fake IAS Officer Case: Accused Used Fake SIM and Government Identity to Threaten Police
The Navi Mumbai fake IAS officer case has raised serious concerns within law enforcement after a man allegedly impersonated a senior bureaucrat connected to the office of Amit Shah, India’s Union Home Minister, to influence police action in a legal matter.
According to the Mumbai Police Crime Branch, the accused posed as a senior IAS officer and attempted to pressure a Delhi police officer handling a cheque-bounce case. Investigators say he used a fake identity and a SIM card obtained using another person’s documents to make the call.
Accused Arrested for Impersonating IAS Officer
Police arrested Mohammed Tariq Pathan (42), a resident of Vashi in Navi Mumbai, for allegedly impersonating a senior officer of the Indian Administrative Service.
Officials said Pathan pretended to be “IAS officer Pawan Kumar Yadav, Personal Secretary to the Union Home Minister.”
Using this false identity, he allegedly contacted a police officer and attempted to influence an ongoing legal process.
Authorities have booked the accused under charges including:
Cheating and impersonation
Relevant provisions of the Information Technology Act 2000
The case was investigated by the Crime Intelligence Unit of the Mumbai Crime Branch.
How the Incident Came to Light
The case surfaced during the execution of a legal warrant linked to a cheque dishonour complaint.
According to police sources:
A police officer from Connaught Place Police Station travelled to Mumbai.
The officer, identified as Hanumantu Raju, was executing a bailable warrant issued against a woman named Asmita Sarang.
The case was registered under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, which deals with cheque-bounce offences.
Soon after the officer contacted the accused woman, he reportedly received a call from someone claiming to be a senior IAS officer from the Union Home Minister’s office.
Caller Tried to Influence Police Action
Investigators later found that the caller was allegedly Mohammed Tariq Pathan.
Police said he contacted the Delhi police officer and tried to pressure him not to proceed with action against the woman involved in the cheque-bounce case.
By falsely claiming to be linked with a senior government office, the accused allegedly attempted to intimidate the officer and interfere with legal proceedings.
Fake SIM Card Used for the Call
During the investigation, police uncovered another key detail related to the call.
According to officials:
The accused obtained a SIM card using someone else’s identity documents.
He allegedly paid ₹3,000 to the person whose identity was used.
The SIM card was then used to make the threatening call while impersonating a government official.
Using someone else’s identity to obtain telecom services violates telecom regulations and may lead to additional legal charges.
Case Handed Over to Crime Branch
Following the threatening call, a complaint was filed and the case was later transferred to the Mumbai Police Crime Branch for further investigation.
Using technical surveillance and call-tracing techniques, investigators identified the suspect and arrested him.
Police officials said the investigation is ongoing to determine:
Whether the accused acted alone
If others helped him obtain the fake SIM card
Whether he attempted similar impersonation in the past
Authorities have indicated that more details may emerge as the investigation progresses.
