Ahmedabad police have arrested Mehul Shah, a 29-year-old engineer managing two schools in Vankaner, Morbi district, for allegedly posing as an IAS officer and using forged documents to defraud people of lakhs of rupees.
Shah falsely identified himself as a director in the revenue department and an IAS officer. He produced counterfeit documents, including letters from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and a fabricated “department of science and research development,” to deceive his victims. One victim, Pratik Shah, a car rental business owner, was asked to provide a car equipped with a siren and curtains, but Shah failed to pay the rent.
In another instance, Shah forged an appointment letter from the Ahmedabad District Education Officer to promise a government job to a complainant’s son. He also posed as a school trustee and refused to pay ₹7 lakh owed to a contractor for painting a school building.
Police recovered fake identity cards and documents bearing titles like “Bharat Gaurav Ratna Shri Samman Council” and “Health and Family Welfare Department.”
“Despite having no official role, Shah used fake permits to cheat victims. We appeal to others to come forward if they’ve been duped,” said Inspector J.K. Makwana.
